The Washington Post said Friday it will not endorse a candidate in this year’s presidential election, breaking decades of tradition and drawing immediate criticism of the decision.

The newspaper also published an article Friday by two staff reporters saying newsroom staffers had drafted a statement of support for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in the election.

“The decision not to publish was made by the owner of The Post – Amazon founder Jeff Bezos,” The Post reported, citing two sources briefed on the events.

Post CEO Will Lewis wrote in an online explanation of the decision: “The Washington Post will not endorse a presidential candidate in this election. Not even in future presidential elections.”

“We are returning to our roots of not supporting presidential candidates,” Lewis wrote.

“We recognize that this will be read in a variety of ways, including as a
tacit approval of one candidate, or condemnation of another, or abdication of responsibility,” he wrote. ‘That’s inevitable. We don’t see it that way. We see it as consistent with the values ​​that The Post has always stood for and that we hope for in a leader: character and courage in the service of American ethics, reverence for the rule of law and respect for human freedom in all its aspects . “

The announcement came days after the Los Angeles Times editorial director resigned in protest after the newspaper’s owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, decided against a presidential endorsement.

Soon-Shiong, like Bezos, is a billionaire.

“@realdonaldtrump will see this as an invitation to further intimidate owner @jeffbezos (and others),” Baron wrote. “Disturbing spinelessness at an institution famous for its courage.”

The Washington Post Guild, the union representing the newspaper’s staff, said in a statement on social media site support presidential candidates, especially just eleven days prior to an election of enormous consequence.”

“The message from our CEO, Will Lewis – and not from the Editorial Board itself – leaves us concerned that management was interfering with the work of our editorial board members,” the Guild said in the statement, noting the reporting from the newspaper about Bezos’ role in the decision.

“We are already seeing cancellations from once loyal readers,” the Guild said. “This decision undermines the work of our members at a time when we need to build, not lose, the trust of our readers.”

Marty Baron, the former editor of The Washington Post, called the newspaper’s decision “cowardice, with democracy as the victim.”

“@realdonaldtrump will see this as an invitation to further intimidate owner @jeffbezos (and others),” Baron wrote. “Disturbing spinelessness at an institution famous for its courage.”

Rep. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat, wrote in his own tweet on the news: “The first step toward fascism is when the free press cowers in fear.”

This is news development. Check back for updates.