Will Lewis, the chief executive and publisher of The Washington Post, has resigned from his role just days after overseeing one of the steepest layoffs in the newspaper’s history, in which roughly one-third of its workforce was cut. Lewis announced his departure in a brief message to staff on Saturday, saying that "after two years of transformation it is the right time for me to step aside" and expressing gratitude to the publication’s owner for his support. The move concludes a turbulent tenure marked by deep cuts to editorial departments, including the closure of entire sections and substantial reductions in international and metropolitan reporting. 

The layoffs, which affected more than three hundred journalists, represented an attempt to address mounting financial losses and reposition the paper for long-term sustainability. Entire units such as the sports and books desks were eliminated, and coverage in key regions was sharply reduced as part of the broader restructuring. Lewis did not attend the internal meeting announcing the cuts, a decision that drew significant criticism from newsroom staff and observers of the publication. 

In his farewell note, Lewis framed the changes as necessary to ensure the newspaper could continue to publish high-quality reporting in the years ahead, thanking the owner for his leadership and reiterating his commitment to The Post’s mission. The company’s chief financial officer, Jeff D’Onofrio, has been appointed acting CEO and publisher with immediate effect. D’Onofrio joined the organisation last year as chief financial officer and previously held senior roles at technology and media companies, where he focused on business strategy and audience engagement. ​Bezos, the billionaire owner of The Post, welcomed the leadership transition and highlighted the institution’s “essential journalistic mission” amid shifting market dynamics. 

The departure has prompted renewed debate about the future of legacy media institutions in an era of digital disruption and economic headwinds. Unions representing Post employees said the resignation was necessary and urged the owner to reconsider the layoffs or consider a change in ownership to secure the paper’s future. The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for The Post as it seeks to balance commercial viability with its role as a major voice in American journalism.