Arbitrator rules Washington Post wrongfully fired columnist Karen Attiah, orders immediate reinstatement

Published Aug 25, 02:21 PM UTC

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A private arbitrator has ordered The Washington Post to immediately reinstate opinion columnist Karen Attiah, who was fired in September 2025 after posting criticism of gun violence and a paraphrased racist quote from right-wing activist Charlie Kirk following his death. The arbitrator found the Post violated its labor agreement and lacked 'good and sufficient cause' for termination. Attiah, then the paper's only Black opinion columnist, argued she was doing her job as an opinion writer. The Washington Post Guild celebrated the decision as a victory for contract protections. Attiah's posts addressed gun violence after a Colorado school shooting and Kirk's history of racist rhetoric, with only one post naming Kirk directly.

Source

The New RepublicWestern

Original headline: Washington Post Ordered to Rehire Columnist Fired Over Charlie Kirk

Original language: EN

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Arbitrator Orders Washington Post to Rehire Columnist Karen Attiah After Wrongful Firing

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