The Washington Post's local news staff has directly appealed to owner Jeff Bezos in a letter, pleading: "Don't eliminate our jobs."
The plea comes amid widespread rumors of major layoffs looming at the newspaper in early 2026, as the publication grapples with ongoing financial losses and strategic shifts under CEO Will Lewis. Staff in the local (metro) section, which covers breaking news, investigations, and community reporting in the Washington, D.C., region, sent the letter to Bezos, highlighting their track record of impactful journalism to argue against cuts that could gut the team.
The letter follows similar desperate outreach from other sections.
Just days earlier, foreign correspondents sent their own collective plea to Bezos, warning that deep reductions there would lead to "irrelevance" and eventual "extinction" for the Post's global brand.
Rumors have swirled about potential decimation of desks like sports (which recently canceled Winter Olympics travel plans, though some coverage was later salvaged amid backlash) and international bureaus, with staff barred from high-risk travel starting February 1 in some cases.
The local section's letter, shared publicly by media critic Erik Wemple, lists key accomplishments in breaking news and urgent local coverage to underscore the team's value. It reflects growing anxiety across the newsroom, where employees describe a "creeping dread" about Bezos' commitment as an absentee owner amid persistent red ink.
Staffers at the Washington Post’s local section have sent the letter below to owner Jeff Bezos. The request: “Don’t eliminate our jobs.” pic.twitter.com/OXytFt4WgS
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) January 27, 2026
The Post reportedly lost around $100 million in 2024 alone.
Staffers have taken to social media with messages like #SaveThePost, tagging Bezos directly and emphasizing the public-service role of on-the-ground reporting in holding power accountable and informing communities. The Guild has opposed further cuts, arguing they weaken the institution's mission.
No official response from Bezos has emerged, and details on the scale of impending layoffs remain unclear, though reports suggest February could bring reductions across multiple areas as leadership focuses resources on core beats like national politics and security.