Leadership Shakeup at The Washington Post Following Major Layoffs

Mon Feb 09 2026 01:48:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the wake of significant workforce reductions, the CEO of The Washington Post, Will Lewis, has announced his resignation, stirring reactions and protests among journalists and staff.

Will Lewis, chief executive of The Washington Post, has stepped down shortly after the newspaper announced it would reduce its workforce by a third, scaling back significant coverage. His departure has sparked protests and criticism, particularly directed at owner Jeff Bezos. Jeff D'Onofrio will serve as the acting publisher and CEO as the paper navigates this turbulent period.

The chief executive of The Washington Post, Will Lewis, has announced his resignation, just days after implementing massive layoffs at the publication. Lewis stated that it was the right time for him to step down, citing the difficult decisions made regarding the newspaper's future.

On Wednesday, the newspaper disclosed plans to cut a third of its workforce, which has raised concerns about the impact on its sports and international news coverage. Journalists have expressed discontent, leading to public protests outside the newspaper's headquarters in Washington, D.C. Critics have directed their ire towards the paper's billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos.

Executive editor Matt Murray defended the layoffs as a move intended to bring stability to the organization, while stressing that these decisions were not made lightly.

Following Lewis's resignation, Jeff D'Onofrio, the newspaper’s chief financial officer—who joined last year—will take over as acting publisher and CEO. Upon his appointment in 2023, Lewis, a former Dow Jones chief executive, faced challenges in reversing financial losses at The Washington Post. His tenure has been marked by controversies, particularly surrounding workforce reductions that included layoffs of the paper's entire staff in the Middle East and its correspondent in Kyiv.

In reflecting on the recent cuts, former executive editor Marty Baron called it one of the darkest days in the history of the acclaimed news organization. Lewis's exit adds to the uncertainty faced by the paper, which has dealt with numerous editorial and staffing upheavals in recent years.

Additionally, the Post has sparked further criticism in light of Bezos’s recent decision not to endorse a presidential candidate—a break from tradition that had persisted for decades—and has led to a notable loss of subscribers. The ongoing turmoil suggests continued challenges for the storied publication as it seeks to navigate a rapidly changing media landscape.