Washington Post Faces Backlash over Endorsement Decision

The Washington Post has faced significant internal turmoil following owner Jeff Bezos' decision to abstain from endorsing a presidential candidate for the first time in 36 years, specifically vetoing a planned endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. This controversial move, announced by publisher Will Lewis, has incited anger among staff, with some threatening to resign and others already canceling their subscriptions, leading to about 2,000 cancellations in just over 24 hours. Critics, including former editor Marty Baron, have condemned the decision as a dangerous precedent that undermines journalistic integrity and democracy. The Post Guild has expressed concern that this choice erodes trust with readers and reflects management interference in editorial decisions. The fallout has also seen at least one prominent editor, Robert Kagan, resign in protest, highlighting the crisis within the publication. This situation mirrors similar actions taken by the Los Angeles Times, where leadership also refrained from endorsements under pressure.