CBS News fires journalist who investigated Biden family and 'SEIZES her personal notes and research' with union accusing network of violating her First Amendment rights

CBS News has fired a high-profile reporter who covered investigations into the Biden family, and the network is accused of seizing her personal notes in a move her union calls 'completely inappropriate' and 'very unusual.' 

Catherine Herridge, a veteran reporter covering national security and intelligence, was among the hundreds of CBS employees who were laid off by parent company Paramount last week.

In a statement on Thursday, SAG-AFTRA, the union representing CBS employees, said it 'strongly condemns CBS News' decision to seize Catherine Herridge's reporter notes and research from her office, including confidential source information.'

'This action is deeply concerning to the union because it sets a dangerous precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very foundation of the First Amendment,' the statement added. 

However, CBS denied claims that it had improperly seized Herridge's private files and told DailyMail.com that it planned to return the materials to her.

'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,' said a CBS News spokesperson.

'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,' CBS said.

The network said it is still 'awaiting a response' from Herridge or her representative to arrange the transfer files back to the reporter. 

Herridge had recently covered the House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, special counsel Robert Hur's report on his handling of classified documents, and the criminal charges against Hunter Biden. 

Her inclusion in recent layoffs puzzled some industry observers, as she regularly broke news and landed scoops for CBS.  

Herridge has not publicly commented on her firing, other than to share the union statement about the matter on X.

'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,' the union said.

'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,' the union added.

Citing sources, the New York Post claimed that Herridge had been pursuing a story related to Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop, and that she had 'encountered roadblocks' from management over her coverage of the First Son.

Herridge in November 2022 authenticated the laptop, which the Post had first reported on in October 2020. 

Separately, Herridge has been in the middle of a high-profile court battle over her refusal to reveal sources for articles she wrote in 2017.

A judge has demanded she reveal sources used in a series of articles about a Chinese American scientist who was investigated by the FBI but never charged with wrongdoing.

Herridge could face fines of up to $5,000 per day if she refuses to be interviewed under oath for the case. 

Fox News, where she worked at the time, has been covering her legal fees in the case.