The Washington Post’s editorial board is undergoing a wave of resignations following a controversial decision not to endorse Kamala Harris in the presidential election. Veteran editorial board member Molly Roberts resigned on Monday, and another board member, David Hoffman, is expected to follow suit. The decision to refrain from endorsing a presidential candidate marks a departure from the Post’s tradition since 1988.
Publisher Will Lewis framed the decision as a return to the Post’s earlier stance of avoiding presidential endorsements, a practice the paper adopted in 1976. However, insiders revealed that the editorial board had initially planned to endorse Harris before the endorsement was reportedly blocked by owner Jeff Bezos. This move has prompted accusations of corporate interference in the paper’s editorial independence.
The situation has been further complicated by high-profile resignations, including Michele Norris, who left on Sunday, calling the lack of endorsement “a terrible mistake.” Another notable resignation came from editor-at-large Robert Kagan, a foreign policy expert and spouse of former Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland.
The Washington Post’s stance aligns with that of the Los Angeles Times, which also announced it would not endorse this year, leading to similar resignations from pro-Harris journalists there. As the election nears, these moves by major news outlets are sparking discussions over the role of endorsements and corporate influence on journalism.
The walkout reflects an internal struggle over editorial principles and highlights the challenge of maintaining journalistic integrity in an era of heightened corporate ownership. With key staffers departing, the Post’s endorsement decision underscores the difficult balancing act media companies face in a polarized political climate.
