Washington Post opinion editor Adam O'Neal resigns after one year

Staff at The Washington Post were caught off guard on Friday by news that opinion editor Adam O'Neal is leaving the publication after roughly one year in the position. The announcement came during a period of relative stability following the upheaval in February, when nearly half the newsroom was laid off and publisher Will Lewis abruptly resigned.

In a memo to the opinion section titled 'A Remarkable Year,' O'Neal did not specify a reason for his departure. He wrote that the decision was difficult, expressed pride in the section's achievements, and confirmed that 31 August would be his final day. Colleagues said there had been no prior indication he was preparing to leave.

O'Neal took over the opinion section after owner Jeff Bezos decided to reorient it around the defense of free markets and personal liberties — a move that alienated many subscribers. In his memo, O'Neal acknowledged the dramatic changes and said the section had become 'more relevant, accessible and consequential.' He also highlighted its sustainability.

Not everything went smoothly. A new video podcast, 'Make It Make Sense,' drew criticism on social media for what was seen as recycled talking points and failed to attract a large audience despite substantial investment and support from the paper.

Jeff D'Onofrio, who became interim publisher after Lewis's exit, sent an all-staff email with the subject line 'Thank You Adam.' He credited O'Neal with making Post Opinions more balanced, financially sustainable, and reader-friendly.

The swift departure of such a senior editor is highly unusual. O'Neal's predecessor, veteran journalist David Shipley, resigned after failing to persuade Bezos to abandon the new mandate for the section. Many long-time opinion writers were encouraged to accept buyouts in the summer of 2025.

D'Onofrio said the Post would work on transitioning the section's leadership, with more details to be announced later.

O'Neal, who was 33 when hired, was seen as an unconventional choice despite previous roles at The Economist and the opinion desk of The Wall Street Journal. To introduce himself to staff, he appeared in a vertical video posted on the newspaper's public relations account on X.