The Washington Post has executed a sweeping round of layoffs in its Opinion section, firing more than a dozen employees, including longtime veterans and contractors.
This move comes amid ongoing financial struggles and internal shake-ups at the Jeff Bezos-owned outlet.
According to reports, the layoffs were orchestrated by Adam O’Neal, the newly appointed Opinion Editor, as part of a broader plan to “shake up” the section.
New York Times media reporter Ben Mullin broke the story on X, stating: “Scoop: Adam O’Neal, the new Opinion Editor at The Washington Post, is laying off staffers as part of a plan to shake up the section. A source says six employees are affected. I’ve also been told some contractors are being terminated.”
Mullin shared an internal email from O’Neal outlining the changes, which emphasized streamlining operations but offered little insight into the financial motivations behind the cuts.
scoop: Adam O’Neal, the new Opinion Editor at The Washington Post, is laying off staffers as part of a plan to shake up the section. A source says six employees are affected. I’ve also been told some contractors are being terminated. Here’s one email provided by a source: pic.twitter.com/keYsHlkcpk
— Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) October 2, 2025
At least six full-time employees were formally laid off, with several contractors also terminated.
The cuts included the elimination of all copy editors in the Opinion section. Additionally, the Saturday feature “Free for All,” a page dedicated to reader letters critiquing or praising the paper, has been discontinued, and the section will no longer have a dedicated columnist covering local news.
One of the most prominent casualties is Marc Fisher, a 39-year veteran of the Post known for his reporting on local issues in Washington, D.C.
The @washingtonpost has fired writer & editor @mffisher along with 15 other columnists & editors. Marc Fisher spent 39 years at WaPo and is one of the greatest voices and reporters our city has. Democracy Dies In Darkness and the Washington Post is turning out the lights. pic.twitter.com/HrRzYEyI6G
— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) October 3, 2025
Fisher’s termination was highlighted by NBC News reporter Mark Segraves, who complained on X: “The @washingtonpost has fired writer & editor @mffisher along with 15 other columnists & editors. Marc Fisher spent 39 years at WaPo and is one of the greatest voices and reporters our city has. Democracy Dies In Darkness and the Washington Post is turning out the lights.”
Retired Post editor and columnist Robert McCartney provided further details on the restructuring via X, writing, “WashPost Opinions Editor Adam O’Neal has laid off all the copy editors in the Opinions section. This is likely to lead to increase in typos and errors of both grammar and fact. Copy editors in News sections are not affected (yet), but their numbers have been reduced previously. Other changes in Post Opinions makeover: The Saturday feature ‘Free for All,’ a full page of readers’ letters slamming (or praising) the paper, has been killed. And columnist Marc Fisher was let go—meaning there’s no columnist in Opinion section following local news.”
Other changes in Post Opinions makeover: The Saturday feature “Free for All,” a full page of readers’ letters slamming (or praising) the paper, has been killed. And columnist Marc Fisher was let go—meaning there’s no columnist in Opinion section following local news.
— Robert McCartney (@McCartneyWP) October 3, 2025
In September, the paper fired opinion columnist Karen Attiah, following controversial social media posts related to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
– @KarenAttiah, the last Black full-time opinion columnist at the Washington Post, says she was fired pic.twitter.com/7LitlsyE4P
— WABJ – Washington Association of Black Journalists (@WABJDC) September 15, 2025
Attiah, the last Black full-time opinion columnist at the Post, claimed her dismissal was unjust, and the left suddenly started to pretend they care about free speech.
Financially, the Washington Post has been hemorrhaging money, reportedly losing tens of millions annually despite efforts to boost subscriptions and diversify revenue.
A Forbes report from June noted declining readership and staff departures, painting a picture of a media giant struggling to adapt in an era where trust in legacy outlets continues to erode.
Critics have long argued that the Post’s heavy reliance on opinion pieces laced with partisan rhetoric has alienated conservative and independent readers, contributing to its decline.
