Arbitrator Orders Washington Post to Reinstate Karen Attiah

An independent arbitrator has ordered The Washington Post to reinstate opinion columnist Karen Attiah and provide compensation for lost wages. Attiah was terminated in September 2025 after posting on social media that refusing to engage in "performative mourning" for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who had been shot and killed, did not constitute an act of violence.

Arbitrator Sarah Miller Espinosa ruled that the newspaper lacked "good and sufficient cause" for the termination and failed to prove that Attiah engaged in gross misconduct. The ruling specifically rejected the newspaper's argument that Attiah should be held accountable for potential threats made by third-party "bad actors."

The Washington Post had previously argued that the posts violated its social media policy and created security risks for staff. Opinion editor Adam O'Neal had initiated the termination process, describing the posts as "beyond the pale."

Attiah, who received support from the Washington-Baltimore News Guild and Democracy Defenders Action, stated that the decision confirms she was performing her duties as an opinion journalist.