CNN boss Chris Licht was 'forced to hire extra security after he gutted ... trends now
CNN CEO Chris Licht reportedly was forced to hire extra security to wait outside a conference room where he was working after gutting hundreds of the network's staff in a recent round of layoffs.
The cuts came Thursday and included some big names finding themselves on the chopping block, including on-air talent and contributors like Preet Bharara, Dan Merica, Alison Kosik, and Chris Cillizza.
Licht, 51, brought in additional security guards not only to be stationed outside the executive conference room where he positioned himself, but also to follow him throughout the day, Puck reported.
The network boss was seemingly hoping to avoid backlash or confrontations from any unruly staffers who fell victim to the cost-cutting moves.
CNN CEO Chris Licht reportedly was 'forced to hire extra security' to wait outside a conference room where he was working Thursday after gutting 10 percent of the network's staff
Preet Bharara and Alison Kosik were both among the most recent round of cuts at CNN
Alex Field and Martin Savidge also lost their jobs from the cost-cutting layoffs at the network
Paul Begala and Chris Cillizza, political experts, were both cut in the Thursday layoffs
'Some CNN sources who passed by Licht on Thursday did notice the presence of multiple security guards standing outside of the conference room, and at least one walking around with Licht as he moved about the floor,' news outlet Puck reported.
Licht had sat in the executive conference room throughout the day with the doors open to take questions from remaining employees about the string of cuts.
Puck reported the 'heightened security presence on a day of layoffs suggested Licht was mindful of how raw emotions were.'
While most of the cuts were off-camera employees, contributors, producers, and reporters like Martin Salvidge, Mary Ann Fox, and Alex Field also faced layoffs and are now forced to look for employment elsewhere.
Another major casualty of Licht's cuts: CNN spinoff HLN and its entire staff.
Longtime HLN anchor Robin Meade who Licht described as 'an exceptionally popular anchor,' also fell victim to the cost-cutting moves, despite her popularity.
The cable news giant also scrapped all of HLN's live programming, including longtime host Robin Meade, 53
Meade had been with the Atlanta-based morning show for more than 21 years
Most employees reportedly did not take Licht up on his 'open invitation' to discuss the cuts, the outlet reported.
'What were we supposed to talk about?' said one staffer who survived the layoffs.
One of the biggest cuts made Thursday included CNN's New York bureau, which is regarded as 'first on the scene' for major events like the '9/11 terrorist
