Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus has resigned, citing the suppression of her critical column regarding owner Jeff Bezos’s influence on the opinion pages. Marcus, a longstanding figure at the paper, expressed concern over Bezos’s directive to focus solely on individual liberties and free markets, leading to a loss of reader trust. Following Bezos’s announcement, over 75,000 digital subscribers canceled their subscriptions within 48 hours, prompting Opinions Editor David Shipley to resign as well.

Marcus’s resignation letter, obtained by NPR, emphasized the erosion of columnists’ freedom to express their views authentically. Despite confirming her resignation and the letter’s authenticity, Marcus declined further comment. The Washington Post Co. did not address Marcus’s claims or resignation.

Bezos’s decision to withhold a planned endorsement of Kamala Harris and his alignment with President Trump post-election have sparked controversy. The subsequent fallout, including critical columns within the Post and multiple resignations, reflects the turmoil within the publication. Notably, veteran journalists like Marcus, David Maraniss, and Cameron Barr have severed ties with the Post over these editorial decisions.

In her resignation, Marcus expressed her love for the Post and her colleagues but ultimately felt compelled to leave. Her departure underscores the challenges faced by traditional media outlets navigating changing ownership dynamics and editorial priorities.