
The Washington Post is facing internal turmoil after deciding not to endorse Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, a choice that has prompted key resignations from the editorial board. Veteran journalist Molly Roberts resigned on Monday, joining a growing list of staffers departing in protest, including editor-at-large Robert Kagan and board member Michele Norris.
This election marks the first time since 1988 that the Post will not endorse a presidential candidate. Publisher Will Lewis claimed the decision as a return to tradition, citing the paper’s pre-1976 policy of staying neutral in presidential elections. However, internal sources report that the editorial board had prepared a Harris endorsement before owner Jeff Bezos intervened and blocked it, a move that some staff have called an overreach of corporate influence.
Michele Norris, who resigned Sunday, criticized the endorsement decision as “a terrible mistake and an insult.” Her sentiments were echoed by Robert Kagan, a respected foreign policy writer, who stepped down Friday. Kagan, married to former Biden-Harris official Victoria Nuland, voiced his opposition to what he saw as a breach of the Post’s journalistic responsibility.
The Washington Post is not alone in this decision. The Los Angeles Times similarly announced it would not endorse this year, leading to additional resignations of pro-Harris journalists. The shared stance from both papers highlights the challenges facing newsrooms as corporate ownership and editorial independence collide.
The decision not to endorse has sparked conversation about media responsibility in elections, with critics questioning the impact of corporate influence on journalistic principles. As the Post navigates these turbulent times, its stance on the 2024 election signals a broader shift in editorial strategy and media independence.