Sarah Ellison

Days after overseeing cuts to a third of the Washington Post’s newsroom, Publisher Will Lewis announces he’s stepping down

Third, journalists, non-profits, social media influencers, and everyday people need to be VERY discerning and careful about not amplifying unsubstantiated rumors about ICE or other law enforcement at or near the polls, because false rumors (even if well-meaning) WILL suppress the vote.

And now the shoe is on the other foot. I have a little time to figure out my next move, but I’m so grateful for my readers, sources and my talented colleagues. We’ll meet again soon and I’ll probably have more to say. Until then! -30-

I’ve watched it go through wrenching changes. The first media story I ever covered was the Chandler family's sale of their stake in Tribune Co. to Sam Zell. At the time, I felt so bad for reporters at the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, & Baltimore Sun -2-

I'm much more accustomed to writing about media layoffs than experiencing them. But yesterday I was among the 300 journalists let go from the @washingtonpost. I have been so lucky for so long in this industry. -1-

Bar chart showing that dozens of right-wing influencers and Republicans, including 21 members of congress, discussed investigating Alex Pretti's shooting since Saturday, and that the numbers increased in the days after his shooting.

@sarahellison.bsky.social @riegerreport.bsky.social @lmelgar.bsky.social and I found that nearly two dozen Republican members of congress called for investigations into Pretti's killing, along with dozens of high-profile right-wing influencers. wapo.st/4qHFxA5

Timeline: How the Trump administration lost the narrative in Minnesota Visual evidence has repeatedly contradicted the administration’s efforts to vilify Alex Pretti and frame the perception of his killing during an immigration raid.

The Trump administration's effort to shape the narrative around Alex Pretti ran up against contradictory visual evidence.

WaPo analyzed how that rhetoric shifted in the 72 hours after Pretti's death.

w/ @sarahellison.bsky.social & @ence.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...

DHS version

White House version

The White House posted an edited photo of the activist involved in the Minneapolis church protest, made to look like she was crying.

Journalists confront new reality in reporting after FBI raid Many saw the FBI search of a Washington Post reporter’s home as a jarring new step aimed at limiting their ability to gather information.

Journalists confront new reality in reporting after FBI raid. By @sarahellison.bsky.social Patrick Marley and @colbyitkowitz.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Journalists confront new reality in reporting after FBI raid Many saw the FBI search of a Washington Post reporter’s home as a jarring new step aimed at limiting their ability to gather information.

The FBI's raid of @hannahnatanson.bsky.social's home and seizure of her electronic devices is unprecedented, according to Gabe Rottman, an attorney and VP of policy for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Our latest here on the implications: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Journalists confront new reality in reporting after FBI raid Many saw the FBI search of a Washington Post reporter’s home as a jarring new step aimed at limiting their ability to gather information.

Journalists confront new reality in reporting after FBI raid. From @patrickdmarley @ColbyItkowitz and me www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

After ICE shooting, Minneapolis mayor emerges with blunt rebuke of Trump Democrat Jacob Frey has countered the administration’s portrayal of events in sharp and at times profane terms. His reaction is shaped by a tenure of crises.

He faced criticism after George Floyd. Now, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) is bluntly rebuking President Donald Trump. Read @yabutaleb7 @patrickdmarley on the aftermath of last week's ICE shooting: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Trump amplifies conspiracies on killing of Minnesota lawmaker Trump shared a video baselessly linking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to conspiracies over brazen political killings in the state this summer.

President Donald Trump amplifies baseless social media posts that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had been part of a conspiracy to kill Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman over a day care fraud scandal, via @marianaa_alfaro & @maeganvaz
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Analysis | Trump’s latest anti-immigration push echoes the nativism of the 1920s The president and his aides have escalated anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies in recent weeks.

Trump’s latest anti-immigration push echoes the nativism of the 1920s, by @ktumulty www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Lead Post reporter on that story Alex Horton served in the infantry in Iraq.

Analysis | Hegseth conscripts the Pentagon for Trump’s ‘retribution campaign’ In threatening to deploy the military justice system against Democrats, Hegseth has joined Trump’s norm-shattering bid to punish political foes.

Hegseth conscripts the Pentagon for Trump’s ‘retribution campaign.’ In threatening to deploy the military justice system against Democrats, Hegseth has joined Trump’s norm-shattering bid to punish political foes, by @noahjrobertson @TaraCopp and me. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

BREAKING—> After the Washington Post broke the order to kill boat strike survivors, Congressional committees vow to boost oversight. Via @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social Victoria Bisset and Noah Robertson.

Trump says airlines should consider Venezuelan airspace closed President Donald Trump’s announcement follows growing U.S. threats to attack Venezuela.

Trump says commercial airlines should consider Venezuelan airspace closed. He doesn't have the authority to do so, but such a declaration could be a first step ahead of military airstrikes.
More via @michaelbirnbaum, @TaraCopp & @Victoria_Bisset
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

AOC built her own political machine. Now she’s deciding her next move. Seven years after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leapt onto the national stage as an outsider, she’s learned an inside game and is considering a run for Senate or president.

NEW: AOC built her own political machine. Now she’s deciding her next move. Seven years after she leapt onto the national stage as an outsider, she’s learned an inside game and is considering a run for Senate or president. Read @lizcgoodwin @yabutaleb7: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Analysis | Epstein is the one issue that persistently splits Trump from his base Trump promised during the 2024 election to release the Justice Department’s “Epstein files,” but his administration has resisted doing so.

Epstein is the one issue that persistently splits Trump from his MAGA base, by @ktumulty www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Democrats swept elections far beyond the big races in referendum on Trump Beyond the big governors and New York mayor contests, Democrats on Tuesday swept city councils, school boards and county commissions.

Democrats swept elections far beyond the big races in a referendum on Trump. From clerks to coroners, Democrats on Tuesday flipped city councils, school boards and county commissions, by @NaftaliBendavid www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

How a backlash to Trump fueled Democratic gains with Latino voters The president’s deportation policies, along with high prices and changes in who turned out to vote propelled a shift in this year’s election.

NEW: How a backlash to Trump fueled Democratic gains with Latino voters. The president's deportation policies and high prices propelled a shift in this year's elections, compared to 2024. By @sabrod123 @teoarmus @KnowlesHannah: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Can Democrats reverse Trump’s Latino gains? This county has clues. Trump flipped Passaic County in New Jersey last year. Now Democrats hope to capitalize on backlash to his administration in Tuesday’s gubernatorial election.

Can Democrats reverse Trump’s Latino gains? This county has clues. By @KnowlesHannah @sabrod123: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Trump escalates demands for 2020 election investigations and prosecutions The renewed focus on 2020 comes as Trump has begun to see results from his demands to prosecute his critics, including former FBI director James B. Comey.

NEW from @iarnsdorf @patrickdmarley @PerryStein: President Trump has renewed demands that his administration find fraud in the five-year-old defeat that he never accepted, which includes a new effort to scrutinize Fulton County ballots. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Analysis | Pritzker finds his place at the ramparts of the Trump resistance The Illinois governor and potential Democratic presidential candidate is waging a full-throated campaign against Trump and his administration’s incursions into the state.

JB Pritzker finds his place at the ramparts of the Trump resistance. The Illinois governor and potential Democratic presidential candidate is waging a full-throated campaign against Trump and his administration’s incursions into the state, by @ktumulty www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

In Wisconsin swing district, criticism of Charlie Kirk sparks backlash The tensions coursing through the country have been on stark display, as a teacher and two city council members face a backlash over their words.

In Wisconsin swing district, criticism of Charlie Kirk sparks backlash. By @patrickdmarley @yvonnewingett: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

National park to remove photo of enslaved man’s scars The Trump administration is ordering the removal of information on slavery at multiple national parks in an effort to scrub them of “corrosive ideology.”

The Trump administration is ordering the removal of information on slavery at multiple national parks in an effort to scrub them of “corrosive ideology.”

www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

Bolton continues criticism of Trump foreign policy following FBI raids In a new op-ed, Bolton argued Trump’s Ukraine policy is “no more coherent today than it was last Friday” when the raids happened.

Bolton continues criticism of Trump foreign policy following FBI raids, via @PatrickSvitek www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

The midterm map fight favors the GOP — and could help them stay in power Democrats have vowed to counter President Donald Trump’s push for more red House seats, but they may struggle to match it.

The midterm map fight favors the GOP — and could help them stay in power.
@KnowlesHannah on why Republicans have more cards to play.
wapo.st/3H83244

We take readers inside Laura Loomer’s rise: ‘Obsessive’ research and Oval Office visits, from Natalie Allison
@sarahellison.bsky.social
@drewharwell.com www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...