The Washington Post has enacted significant staff reductions across multiple departments and announced a strategic restructuring, affecting hundreds of employees. These changes occur amidst ongoing financial losses for the publication and a shift in its editorial focus, leading to leadership changes and widespread reactions from staff, union representatives, and prominent journalists.
Layoffs and Departmental Impacts
The Washington Post implemented significant job cuts, with estimates for affected newsroom positions ranging from over 100 to approximately one-third of the news staff, or over 300 journalists. These reductions followed previous cost-cutting measures, including employee buyouts in 2023 and 2025, software division layoffs in late 2024, and a 4% staff reduction in January 2025.
Departments most affected by the restructuring include:
Sports Desk Closed
The sports desk was closed entirely, though some sports writers are to be retained for feature stories. Initial plans to send staff to cover the Winter Olympics were canceled, later scaled back to a small team.
International Desk Hit Hard
The international desk faced substantial staff reductions, impacting the entire Middle East team, a bureau chief, and other correspondents and editors. Approximately 60 members of the foreign staff sent a letter to owner Jeff Bezos requesting reconsideration of these cuts.
Metro Section Restructured
The Metro section was restructured, with its staff size reduced from over 40 to about a dozen.
Other Areas Affected
The Books section was shuttered, and The Post Reports podcast was suspended. Cuts also affected editing, style, audio, video, and commercial teams.
Executive Editor Matt Murray characterized these actions as a "strategic reset" made necessary by "difficult and even disappointing realities."
Financial Context
The Post has incurred significant financial losses in recent years. The newspaper reported losses of $100 million in 2022 and $77 million in 2023, with increased losses noted in the past year. Publisher Will Lewis, prior to his departure, informed staff in June 2024 that the newspaper had recorded losses of $177 million over two years, citing insufficient public readership as a contributing factor. News organizations globally have faced challenges in maintaining sustainable business models due to changes brought by the internet.
Strategic Shifts and Editorial Direction
The restructuring signals a shift in the newspaper's editorial focus. The Post, which previously identified as "For and About Washington," appears to be reorienting its primary coverage toward federal issues, including U.S. government, national security, and American politics. This strategy aims for direct competition with specialized publications. The politics and government team is planned to remain the largest reporting group, central to engagement and subscriber growth. The newspaper intends to continue covering national news, science, technology, climate, and business with adjusted staffing.
In late 2024, owner Jeff Bezos reportedly intervened to block a planned editorial endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris, stating that presidential endorsements could erode public trust. He also announced a new focus for the editorial page, emphasizing "personal liberties and free markets." These changes reportedly coincided with a loss of over 375,000 digital subscribers.
Leadership Changes
Publisher and Chief Executive Will Lewis announced his resignation on a Saturday evening, following a two-year tenure, just days after the Post initiated the recent layoffs. In his resignation note, Lewis referred to his time as "two years of transformation." He had been appointed in late 2023 to improve the paper's financial situation.
Lewis faced criticism for his absence during a virtual meeting where the layoffs were announced and for being photographed at a Super Bowl event shortly after the cuts. Jeff D’Onofrio, the Post's Chief Financial Officer, will serve as acting Publisher and Chief Executive.
Jeff Bezos, who acquired The Washington Post in 2013, released a statement affirming the Post's "essential journalistic mission" and opportunities, expressing confidence in the new leadership.
Reactions and Concerns
The layoffs have drawn significant reactions from various individuals and groups:
Staff and Union Objections
Journalists appealed to Jeff Bezos for assistance to prevent further cuts. The Post Guild, representing newsroom employees, opposed additional reductions, stating they would weaken the newspaper and compromise its mission. Protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., chanting "Save the Post!"
Former Editors Express Dismay
Marty Baron, former Executive Editor, expressed concerns about the newspaper's future, perceiving a diminished ambition and potential "death spiral." He suggested Bezos might be prioritizing other business interests.
Legendary Journalists Weigh In
Carl Bernstein, referencing the Post's motto "Democracy Dies in Darkness," criticized the cuts and stated the newspaper holds a significant role beyond a business proposition. Bob Woodward expressed distress over the job losses, stating readers deserve better.
Questions of Ownership and Accountability
Some current and former Post staffers noted a lack of public communication from Bezos regarding the paper's future. Questions were raised about Bezos's public stance on press freedom, particularly following an FBI raid on a Post reporter's home. The Post Guild and some veterans called for Bezos to sell the newspaper if he is unwilling to invest in its mission.
Jeff Bezos, who previously stated his commitment to preserving the Post as an important institution, maintained silence on many of these internal issues.