Washington Post publisher to step down after major layoffs

Union calls his legacy 'attempted destruction of a great American journalism institution'

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Washington Post publisher Will Lewis announced he is stepping down, ending a troubled tenure marked by layoffs and a failed reorganization plan. The newspaper's owner, Jeff Bezos, appointed the chief financial officer, Jeff D'Onofrio, as temporary publisher. The layoffs, which resulted in the shutdown of the Post's sports section and elimination of the photography staff, have led to calls for Bezos to either increase investment in the paper or sell it to someone more willing to support it.

Why it matters

The Washington Post is one of the most prominent and influential newspapers in the United States, and its future under Bezos' ownership has been a subject of intense scrutiny. The deep staff cuts and departure of the publisher raise concerns about the paper's ability to maintain its high-quality journalism and serve its readers effectively.

The details

Will Lewis, the Washington Post's publisher for the past two years, announced his resignation just three days after the newspaper said it would lay off one-third of its staff. The layoffs resulted in the shutdown of the Post's renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff, and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas. These cuts came on top of widespread talent defections in recent years, as well as a reorienting of the opinion section in a more conservative direction following Bezos' order to pull back from a planned endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential campaign.

  • On February 8, 2026, Will Lewis announced his resignation as Washington Post publisher.
  • On February 5, 2026, the Washington Post announced it would lay off one-third of its staff.

The players

Will Lewis

The former publisher of the Washington Post, whose tenure was marked by layoffs and a failed reorganization plan.

Jeff Bezos

The billionaire owner of the Washington Post, who has faced criticism for his handling of the newspaper's direction.

Jeff D'Onofrio

The Washington Post's chief financial officer, who was appointed as temporary publisher after Lewis' resignation.

Martin Baron

The Washington Post's first editor under Bezos, who condemned his former boss for attempting to curry favor with President Donald Trump and called what has happened at the newspaper 'a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction.'

Sally Buzbee

The former top editor of the Washington Post, whose departure was part of the failed reorganization plan under Lewis' tenure.

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What they’re saying

“His legacy will be the attempted destruction of a great American journalism institution. But it's not too late to save The Post. Jeff Bezos must immediately rescind these layoffs or sell the paper to someone willing to invest in its future.”

— Washington Post Guild, Union representing staff members (Washington Post)

“The Post has an essential journalistic mission and an extraordinary opportunity. Each and every day our readers give us a roadmap to success. The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus.”

— Jeff Bezos (Washington Post)

“This is a challenging time across all media organizations, and The Post is unfortunately no exception. I've had the privilege of helping chart the course of disrupters and cultural stalwarts alike. All faced economic headwinds in changing industry landscapes, and we rose to meet those moments. I have no doubt we will do just that, together.”

— Jeff D'Onofrio, Temporary publisher of the Washington Post (Washington Post)

What’s next

The Washington Post Guild has called on Jeff Bezos to either rescind the layoffs or sell the newspaper to someone more willing to invest in its future. The paper's new temporary publisher, Jeff D'Onofrio, has pledged to lead the Post into an 'exciting and thriving next chapter'.

The takeaway

The departure of the Washington Post's publisher and the deep staff cuts at the newspaper raise serious concerns about the future of one of America's most prestigious journalistic institutions. The challenges facing the Post under Bezos' ownership highlight the broader struggles of the news industry in the digital age and the need for strong, sustained investment in high-quality journalism.