Catherine Herridge identifies 'most important 10 seconds' of special counsel's remarks after Hunter Biden conviction



Special counsel David Weiss made an eyebrow-raising comment on Tuesday after Hunter Biden became a convicted felon.

After deliberating for just three hours, a jury of Hunter Biden's peers found him guilty of three felony crimes stemming from his decision to lie on an ATF 4473 form about his drug use when he purchased a handgun in October 2018.

'... we have additional trials and investigative work to be done.'

In a short statement after the verdict, Weiss rebuffed the narrative that tried to stir up sympathy for the first son.

"This case was about the illegal choices defendant made while in the throes of addiction, his choice to lie on a government form when he bought a gun, and the choice to then possess that gun. It was these choices and the combination of guns and drugs that made his conduct dangerous," Weiss explained. "No one in this country is above the law."

But it was his concluding remark that investigative reporter Catherine Herridge called the "most important 10 seconds" of Weiss' statement.

"As you know, we have additional trials and investigative work to be done, so I will not entertain questions at this time. Our work continues," the special counsel told reporters.

Did you catch that?

Weiss declined to answer questions from the media because his team needs to focus on additional trials — as in, more than one.

But as it stands — publicly, at least — Hunter Biden only has one additional pending trial for multiple felony tax crimes in California. That trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 5.

The innocuous comment raises the question: Is Weiss preparing to indict Hunter Biden in a third case, potentially related to the Foreign Agent Registration Act?

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Hunter Biden's potential FARA violations for not registering as a "foreign agent" when conducting overseas work for companies in Ukraine and China have been a significant part of the Justice Department's years-long investigation into him.

In fact, when Hunter Biden's sweetheart plea deal blew up last summer, prosecutors confirmed they might charge the first son in the future with FARA violations.

To date, Weiss has not charged Hunter Biden with anything besides the firearm and tax crimes.

Meanwhile, the first son may be acting proactively. Last month, Hunter Biden hired an attorney with a history of representing high-profile clients in cases involving foreign agent crimes.

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Judge holds Catherine Herridge in contempt, fines her $800 per day for protecting source. But where is the media outrage?



A federal judge held veteran investigative reporter Catherine Herridge in civil contempt of court on Thursday for upholding journalistic ethics and not revealing her confidential sources.

Federal district Judge Christopher Cooper ordered Herridge to pay a fine of $800 per day until she divulges the information the court wants.

Cooper wrote in his order:

The Court does not reach this result lightly. It recognizes the paramount importance of a free press in our society and the critical role that confidential sources play in the work of investigative journalists like Herridge. Yet the Court also has its own role to play in upholding the law and safeguarding judicial authority.

Fortunately, Cooper stayed the ruling for 30 days, giving Herridge ample time to appeal before she starts incurring daily fines.

The case stems from Herridge's tenure at Fox News. In 2017, she reported on a federal investigation into Chinese-American scientist Yanping Chen, whom the FBI once investigated over "suspicions of Chinese military ties and whether she had lied on U.S. immigration forms," the New York Times noted. The FBI never charged Chen.

In 2018, Chen sued the federal government, alleging that government employees had leaked her information to Herridge in violation of the Privacy Act.

Last year, Cooper ordered Herridge to reveal the sources of her information about Chen, but she refused, citing her First Amendment rights.

After Cooper's ruling on Thursday, Herridge's attorney, Patrick Philbin, said, "We disagree with the district court’s decision, and to protect Ms. Herridge's First Amendment rights, we intend to appeal."

Fox News, meanwhile, condemned Cooper's ruling for the "deeply chilling effect" that it will have on journalism and the First Amendment.

Advocacy groups concerned about the First Amendment and free press also condemned Cooper's decision, and the legacy media wrote stories about it. But there was an glaring lack of media outrage over Cooper's decision.

In fact, by Friday morning, CNN was the only cable or broadcast news network that had covered the story on TV — for a mere 13 seconds.

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There is also a glaring lack of social media posts from virtue-signaling media pundits and news reporters decrying Cooper's decision and the threat it poses for journalism.

Perhaps the lack of outrage from Herridge's colleagues stems from the fact that Herridge, an award-winning reporter, often reported on topics the legacy media ignores, most recently covering allegations of Biden family corruption and the Hunter Biden saga before CBS News decided to terminate her employment.

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CBS News finally returns Catherine Herridge's confidential files, but important questions remain unanswered



CBS News has finally returned Catherine Herridge's confidential files and records.

After terminating Herridge two weeks ago, CBS News came under fire when law professor Jonathan Turley revealed that CBS News officials retained possession of Herridge's confidential records stored in her office, prompting intervention from Herridge's union, SAG-AFTRA. CBS News confirmed it had possession of the files but denied that their security was compromised.

On Monday, the union announced that CBS News finally returned the files and records to Herridge.

"SAG-AFTRA is pleased to confirm that earlier today a representative of our union monitored the return of several boxes containing Catherine Herridge's reporting materials from her CBS News office in Washington, D.C," the union said in a statement. "Herridge is currently reviewing the materials."

Importantly, the union pointed out that CBS News' "reversal" only happened "after SAG-AFTRA's intervention and widespread media coverage."

For its part, CBS News claimed File-gate was normal, stemming from a "standard HR conversation about materials in her office," a network representative said.

Unfortunately for CBS News, the decision to terminate Herridge and retain control of her confidential files for about two weeks post-termination is raising eyebrows and, now, drawing scrutiny from Congress.

Last week, the House Judiciary Committee sent CBS News President Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews a letter informing her the committee is launching an investigation into Herridge's termination and the retention of her records.

The committee is asking important questions and demanding answers from CBS News, including why Herridge was terminated, why her files were retained, who had access to her records after she was terminated, and whether her files were accessed in any way after Herridge was terminated.

"The unprecedented actions of CBS News threaten to chill good journalism and ultimately weaken our nation's commitment to a free press," Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) wrote in the letter.

Herridge has not spoken publicly about her termination or the controversy surrounding her files, except to share updates from her union.

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WARNING: George Soros and the FCC are dismantling talk radio



The progressives have set their sights on talk radio, which could dismantle the world of radio and absolutely crush free speech.

Soros Fund Management, which is run by George Soros and his billionaire son, is on the verge of taking control of Audacy, the second-largest broadcaster in America.

Last year, Soros bought around fifty radio stations that all happened to be Spanish-speaking.

Glenn Beck finds this “gravely concerning,” as Audacy currently owns 220 stations — and 80% of people still listen to the radio.

In addition, an investor based in Singapore is trying to take over Cumulus Media, which is the third-largest broadcaster.

“How does this bid for America? You have George Soros, and a Singapore company, and then iHeart all alone,” Glenn says.

But it gets worse.

The FCC is now ordering all broadcasters to start posting a race and gender scorecard that breaks down the demographics of their workforce.

“We have to start hiring based on gender and everything else,” Glenn says, adding, “I don’t care what you know, male, female. I don’t care who you sleep with. I don’t care what color you are. Really don’t. I want to know what’s inside your head.”

In the wake of these new rules, Glenn believes now is a more important time than ever to take a stand, especially for your small, local radio stations.

“I want you to support your local radio station,” he says. “Local radio is critical. You’ve got to have a local radio station that is not controlled by the Borg.”


Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

EVIL: George Soros is Trying to DESTROY Conservative Talk Radio

EVIL: George Soros is Trying to DESTROY Conservative Talk Radio

CBS Seizes Records Of Investigative Reporter Who Probed Hunter Biden Laptop Scandal

CBS confiscated the records of an investigative journalist who was laid off this month and is currently in a First Amendment lawsuit.

Catherine Herridge shares 'important update' after CBS News allegedly seized her confidential files and records



Journalist Catherine Herridge shared an "important update" late Thursday about the shocking news that CBS News allegedly retained her confidential files and records after terminating her employment.

That update, Herridge highlighted, is a statement from her union, SAG-AFTRA, which corroborates the allegations first published by law professor Jonathan Turley.

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Turley reported that upon delivering Herridge a pink slip last week, "CBS officials took the unusual step of seizing her files, computers and records, including information on privileged sources."

"The network grabbed Herridge's notes and files and informed her that it would decide what, if anything, would be turned over to her," he explained. "The files likely contain confidential material from both her stints at Fox and CBS. Those records, it suggests, are presumptively the property of CBS News."

The New York Post later corroborated Turley's reporting.

In a statement, SAG-AFTRA condemned CBS News for its actions and explained why "it sets a dangerous precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very foundation of the First Amendment."

The statement said:

It is completely inappropriate for an employer to lay off a reporter and take the very unusual step of retaining and searching the reporter's files, inclusive of confidential source identification and information. From a First Amendment standpoint, a media corporation with a commitment to journalism calling a reporter’s research and confidential source reporting "proprietary information" is both shocking and absurd.

The retention of a media professional's reporting materials by their former employer is a serious break with traditional practices which supports the immediate return of reporting materials.

According to SAF-AFTRA, officials at CBS News recently reached out to the union to discuss the matter. It's not clear, however, if Turley's reporting prompted the communication.

In a statement to Blaze Media, a CBS News spokesperson appeared to confirm that Herridge had been locked out of her office — which holds her confidential files and records — upon being laid off.

"Catherine’s personal belongings were delivered to her home one week ago, and we are prepared to pack up the rest of her files immediately on her behalf — with her representative present as she requested," the spokesperson said. "We are awaiting a response from Catherine and/or her representative to do so.

"We have respected her request to not go through the files, and out of our concern for confidential sources, the office she occupied has remained secure since her departure," the spokesperson claimed.

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CBS News allegedly seized Catherine Herridge's files, records after suddenly terminating her employment: Report



CBS News is facing accusations that it seized computers, files, and records — "including information on privileged sources" — that belong to reporter Catherine Herridge.

Last week, CBS News terminated Herridge's employment as part of a layoff impacting fewer than two dozen employees at CBS News. Her surprise termination sent shockwaves through Washington because Herridge is a respected, award-winning journalist with a storied career. She is seen as a bastion of "old school" journalism, covering major topics the legacy media often ignores.

So how could she end up on the chopping block?

But the story doesn't end there. According to law professor Jonathan Turley, who spoke with sources at CBS News, executives did something "unusual" after handing Herridge her pink slip.

"CBS officials took the unusual step of seizing her files, computers and records, including information on privileged sources," Turley wrote in a new essay.

"The network grabbed Herridge's notes and files and informed her that it would decide what, if anything, would be turned over to her," he explained. "The files likely contain confidential material from both her stints at Fox and CBS. Those records, it suggests, are presumptively the property of CBS News."

If true, it's a strange departure from routine practices for laid off employees — and "nothing short of shocking," Turley added.

"Journalists are generally allowed to leave with their files. Under the standard contract, including the one at CBS, journalists agree that they will make files available to the network if needed in future litigation," he explained. "That presupposes that they will retain control of their files. Such files are crucial for reporters, who use past contacts and work in pursuing new stories with other outlets or who cap their careers with personal memoirs."

Not only do Herridge's files contain information she accumulated while working at CBS News, but they also contained records from her 23-year tenure at Fox News.

The problem at the center of the allegation is obvious: journalists abide by a strict ethical obligation to maintain confidentiality with sources. These agreements are made between a reporter and their source — not a reporter, their source, and the reporter's employer. Confidentiality ethics are important to Herridge — and she even appears willing to go to jail to protect her sources.

Turley even spoke with Herridge's union representative, who confirmed the union has approached CBS officials over this "very unusual" situation.

"We are considering all of our options," a spokesperson from SAG-AFTRA told him.

In the end, the alleged decision to seize Herridge's records has sent a "chilling signal" through the newsroom, a former CBS News journalist familiar with the situation told Turley.

Blaze Media reached out to CBS News for comment, but a representative for the network did not respond.

Herridge, on the other hand, declined to speak about the allegations. She has also not spoken publicly about her termination, other than to clarify that she has not, in fact, released a statement.

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CBS News axes star reporter Catherine Herridge in shocking layoff: 'Got rid of her enemies under the guise of budget cuts'



Award-winning journalist Catherine Herridge is out of a job.

On Tuesday, CBS News parted ways with Herridge, a senior investigative correspondent who primarily covered national security and intelligence. She had most recently reported on new allegations against President Joe Biden and the battle to release the transcripts of Biden's interviews with special counsel Robert Hur.

Herridge was seemingly caught up in a mass layoff impacting approximately 800 employees at Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News.

But sources who spoke with the New York Post alleged that axing Herridge was not simply a cost-cutting measure.

The Post reported:

Sources said Herridge had clashed with CBS News president Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews — a sharp-elbowed executive who was investigated in 2021 over favoritism and discriminatory hiring and management practices, as revealed by The Post.

"[Ciprian-Matthews] got rid of her enemies under the guise of budget cuts," a source told the Post. "She cleared the deck and she had to sacrifice some others like [CBS News correspondent Jeff] Pegues."

Before joining CBS News in 2019, Herridge had worked at Fox News since its inception in 1996. Herridge is a widely respected journalist who often reported on topics the legacy media ignored. It was a shock, then, that Herridge was chosen as one of the reported 20 journalists at CBS News to be laid off.

Her surprise termination was widely eulogized on social media at CBS News' expense:

  • "CBS News was one of the most respected names in journalism. That's no longer the case. Today, it fired Catherine Herridge who is facing financial ruin and even prison for protecting her sources. Herridge is a hero. CBS execs have behaved cowardly. Shame on them," journalist Michael Shellenberger reacted.
  • ".@CBS is stupid (and cruel I might add) …CEO’s boss makes 32 million+/year and yesterday the company laid off Catherine Herridge (great reporter/incredible sources/honest) …is he really worth 32 million that the company loses great reporters?" journalist Greta Van Susteren said.
  • "Catherine Herridge is a national treasure and journalistic hero. Old media is destroying herself. I can’t tell you what an insane move it is for @CBSNews to let her go — particularly during an election year…." Meghan McCain said.
  • "This is terrible news for the network and a sign of the professional atrophy that is accelerating at various media organizations. Herridge was wonderfully 'old school' in insisting on objectivity and balance in her reporting," law professor Jonathan Turley noted.

Herridge, meanwhile, is at the center of a high-stakes First Amendment case in which a judge has ordered her to reveal a source for a story she reported during her tenure at Fox News.

Herridge has so far refused, and a judge has threatened to hold her in contempt of court.

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CBS talking head floats the possibility of a 'black swan event' in 2024



CBS News' "Face the Nation" held a roundtable on Christmas Eve, affording various talking heads an opportunity to make predictions for 2024. While most of the predictions were relatively banal, one among them stood out, prompting critics to puzzle over its possible significance.

Network correspondent Catherine Herridge, the wife of a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, suggested that "2024 may be the year of a black swan event. This is a national security event with high impact that's very hard to predict."

Statistician and former options trader Nassim Nicholas Taleb popularized the term "black swan event" in his 2007 book "The Black Swan."

Taleb defined the term thusly: "First, it is an outlier, as it lies outside the realm of regular expectations, because nothing in the past can convincingly point to its possibility. Second, it carries an extreme impact. Third, in spite of its outlier status, human nature makes us concoct explanations for its occurrence after the fact, making it explainable and predictable."

The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the rise of the internet, the personal computer, the breakdown of the Soviet Union, and the Pacific tsunami of December 2004 apparently qualify as black swan events. According to Taleb, the term is not, however, a catch-all term for "any bad thing that surprises us."

For instance, the statistician told the New Yorker that the COVID-19 pandemic was not a black swan event because it had been wholly predictable.

Herridge told the other CBS News panelists Sunday there were a number of concerns that factored into her "dark" prediction, including that "this sort of enduring heightened threat level that we're facing, the wars in Israel, also Ukraine, and we're so divided in this country in ways that we haven't seen before. And I think that just creates fertile ground for our adversaries like North Korea and China and Iran."

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The three regimes Herridge referenced have all expressed anti-U.S. sentiment in recent months and evidenced the wherewithal to adversely impact American interests.

China, which continues to deepen its ties with Russia and seeks to displace the U.S. on the world stage by 2049, has grown increasingly antagonistic toward the United States in recent years. The communist regime has subjected Americans to intimidation and coercion campaigns on U.S. soil; aerial threats by People's Liberation Army fighter jets; bombastic threats over political visits to Taiwan; espionage and political destabilization efforts by communist agents; a deadly influx of fentanyl via its informal Mexican cartel partners; and hacking campaigns.

North Korea's communist regime threatened to pre-emptively launch a nuclear strike on rivals after conducting an intercontinental ballistic missile test earlier this month, reported the Associated Press.

Iran threatened last week to seal off the Mediterranean Sea if the U.S. and Israel continue to commit so-called "crimes" in Gaza.

Instigation of a negative impactful event by one or more of the hostile nations identified by Herridge would not be wholly unpredictable, meaning — according to Taleb's definition — such would not qualify as a black swan event.

Despite Herridge's allusions to the anti-American triad, some critics on X suggested that the CBS correspondent was simply priming the pump regarding a predictable election-year event that might preclude former President Donald Trump from possibly retaking office.

CBS News correspondent Robert Costa, also on the panel, left little up to the imagination, following Herridge's prediction with the suggestion that the GOP might face a crisis if Trump is convicted of a federal crime. Another panelist piled on by suggesting the Supreme Court "is not going to save Donald Trump from the criminal trial."

The moderator for the CBS panel, Margaret Brennan, wrapped up the roundtable conjectures by stating, "Anyone who tells you what is going to happen with this election and how it's going to play out over the next year is selling you something because there are just so many different variables that all of us are tracking, and all of us are weighing. … But it's also why none of us will sleep very much in the next few months."

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