Washington Post Staff Resign In Rage After Paper Reveals Decision On 2024 Endorsement

The Washington Post has stirred up internal turmoil after announcing a major shift in its presidential endorsement policy. Known for consistently backing Democratic candidates in presidential elections, on Friday the paper opted not to endorse any candidate in the 2024 race. The decision has reportedly caused outrage among staff members, leading to resignations and threats of further action.

The paper’s publisher made the announcement on Friday, stating that the editorial board would not endorse any candidate for the 2024 presidential election. According to Max Tani, a media reporter with Semafor, the Post’s opinion staff is in open rebellion over the decision, with several employees exploring various forms of protest—resignations, quitting the editorial board, or issuing a public statement.

One opinion staffer expressed deep frustration, telling Tani, “If you don’t have the balls to own a newspaper, don’t.” Among the prominent figures exiting the Post is Robert Kagan, an editor-at-large known for his commentary on U.S. foreign policy.

Scoop: Washington Post editor at large Robert Kagan confirms to me that he resigned from the Post following today’s decision not to endorse in the presidential race. https://t.co/as86U0hYqh

— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) October 25, 2024

“The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election. Nor in any future presidential election,” wrote William Lewis, the publisher and chief executive officer of The Post. “We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.” The Post has never endorsed a Republican candidate for president.

The editorial board’s decision to abstain from endorsing a candidate this year caught many by surprise. While the paper has a reputation for supporting liberal policies and candidates, this year’s choice has left Democrats, particularly Kamala Harris, navigating uncharted waters.

The paper’s endorsements have historically played a significant role in bolstering Democratic campaigns, lending credibility and influence in the race. Without it, Harris and her supporters are left wondering what the absence of support from such a major media outlet might mean for her chances. This marks the first time since the 1988 contest that the Post will refrain from backing a candidate—when it chose not to endorse either Michael Dukakis or George H.W. Bush. The Post clarified that the choice was driven by a desire to ensure fair and objective reporting in a deeply polarized election cycle.

“Our job at The Washington Post is to provide through the newsroom nonpartisan news for all Americans, and thought-provoking, reported views from our opinion team to help our readers make up their own minds. Most of all, our job as the newspaper of the capital city of the most important country in the world is to be independent. And that is what we are and will be.”

The decision hearkens back to the paper’s 1960 position when the Editorial Board also chose not to endorse a candidate in the race ultimately won by John F. Kennedy. At the time, the board explained, “We nevertheless adhere to our tradition of non-endorsement in this presidential election… we have sought to arrive at our opinions as fairly as possible, with the guidance of our own principles of independence but free of commitment to any party or candidate.” The Post similarly opted for neutrality in 1972, explaining that as an independent newspaper, it did not consider endorsements to be part of its role.

For Harris, who had hoped to capitalize on the support of major media outlets to energize her base and boost fundraising efforts, the news is an unwelcome development. The absence of the Post’s endorsement adds another challenge to her campaign, which has already been marked by declining poll numbers and concerns about electability.

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