The Washington Post headquarters, after the Post announced it was starting widespread layoffs in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 4, 2026. REUTERS/Aaron Schwartz
Outrage erupted Wednesday after The Washington Post announced it would lay off more than 300 people from its newsroom — including a reporter in the middle of a warzone in Ukraine.
The reporter received the news under harsh conditions while covering the war in Ukraine.
"I was just laid off by The Washington Post in the middle of a warzone. I have no words. I'm devastated," reporter Lizzie Johnson wrote on X.
The move to cut one-third of the staff was met with sharp criticism.
"A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world," journalist and professor Bill Grueskin wrote on Bluesky.
"I am appalled by this. please be in touch if you’re interested in continuing to cover Russia/Ukraine, either full time or as a stringer. least i can do is introduce you to the folks making our relevant hiring decisions," author and political scientist Ian Bremmer wrote on X.
"I’m so sorry. Thank you for your courageous and indispensable work," New York Times columnist David French wrote on X.
"So sorry my friend - I truly feel for all of you guys but particularly for those dodging fire," CNN anchor Jim Sciutto wrote on X.