The Washington Post has been directed to rehire Karen Attiah, a columnist who was terminated last year due to social media comments she made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. This decision was made by arbitrator Sarah Miller Espinosa, who ruled that the newspaper “did not have good and sufficient cause” for Attiah’s dismissal, stating it had “violated” her labor agreement, as reported by The New York Times.

Espinosa concluded, “The Washington Post failed to establish the grievant engaged in gross misconduct.” This ruling offers a significant victory for Attiah. In a statement to The New York Times, Attiah expressed relief at the decision, saying, “This decision confirms what we’ve said from the start: I was doing my job as an opinion writer, and this was wrongful termination.”

Attiah publicly announced her victory on social media, declaring, “The Washington Post fired me last year for speaking the truth after Charlie Kirk’s killing. I fought back. I’m happy to announce: I won my case against The Washington Post. They have been ordered to reinstate me immediately.”

A representative for The Washington Post acknowledged the arbitration process but declined further comment. Attempts to reach Attiah for further comment were not immediately successful.

Attiah faced criticism for her comments on social media platform Bluesky, where she discussed the aftermath of Kirk’s death. She wrote, “Refusing to tear my clothes and smear ashes on my face in performative mourning for a White man that espoused violence is… not the same as violence.” In another statement, she addressed the issue of violence in America, tying it to societal expectations of mourning.

Attiah was also criticized for misquoting Kirk. In her post, she attributed a statement to Kirk regarding Black women’s intellectual capabilities, which was later clarified. On a July 2023 episode of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” Kirk made comments about affirmative action, asserting that prominent figures had implied their achievements were due to such policies.

The controversy surrounding Attiah resulted in her termination by The Washington Post. The termination letter cited “unacceptable” behavior and “gross misconduct.” Following her dismissal, Attiah initiated a legal challenge, leading to arbitration with the paper, which she had announced in June.

This development occurs nearly a year after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA.