CBS News journalist and longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley warned against what he characterized as threats to the First Amendment in the current political climate.

As he gave a commencement address over the holiday weekend at Wake Forest University, Pelley said an “insidious fear is reaching through,” the country and threatening Democracy.

“As a reporter, I’ve learned to respect opinions,” he told the crowd. “Reasonable people differ about the life of our country. And America works well when we listen to those that we disagree with, where we listen to those we disagree with and have common ground and compromise.”

“But in this moment, this moment this morning, our sacred rule of law is under attack. Journalism is under attack,” the CBS veteran continued in remarks first highlighted by Mediaite. “Universities are under attack, freedom of speech is under attack.”

Pelley made headlines earlier this month with an unprecedented callout of Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News that is reportedly preparing to settle a high-profile lawsuit brought last year by President Trump over the outlet’s interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Critics of Trump’s lawsuit have argued it is intended to intimidate media organizations that he feels do not cover him fairly.

Fallout from the lawsuit led to the resignations of the CBS News president and executive producer of “60 Minutes” in a span of several days.