Washington Post Announces Major Newsroom Layoffs

The Washington Post has announced one of the largest newsroom layoffs in its history, cutting roughly one-third of its staff in a sweeping restructuring that took place on February 4, 2026. About 300 journalists and newsroom employees were affected as management moved to address mounting financial challenges.

Executive Editor Matt Murray described the layoffs as a “painful strategic reset,” citing ongoing financial losses, declining subscriber numbers, reduced search traffic, and shifts in how audiences consume news. As part of the cuts, entire sections were eliminated or significantly scaled back, including the sports desk, books coverage, local metro reporting, and several foreign bureaus.

The decision has triggered strong backlash from current and former staff, media critics, and journalism advocates who warn the cuts will weaken coverage and diminish one of the country’s most influential news institutions. Journalists and supporters rallied outside The Washington Post’s Washington, D.C., headquarters to protest the layoffs and defend the future of quality journalism.

Critics have also pointed to leadership decisions under owner Jeff Bezos and CEO Will Lewis, arguing that changes in editorial direction and business strategy have contributed to subscriber losses and internal unrest within the newsroom.