Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Sen. Tom Cotton. Photo: Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images
New York Times employees on Wednesday posted en masse on social media saying that the editorial board's decision to run an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) calling to "Send In the Troops," put black Times' staff members in danger.
What he's saying: Cotton wrote that the U.S. military should be sent to cities across the country to address protests following the death of George Floyd, saying, "One thing above all else will restore order to our streets: an overwhelming show of force to disperse, detain and ultimately deter lawbreakers."
- President Trump has backed Cotton's proposal to send in troops "if local law enforcement is overwhelmed."
The state of play: The Times' staff social media posts appeared to be a coordinated effort, publishing simultaneously and including variations of the line: "running this puts Black @nytimes staff in danger" alongside a photo of Cotton's headline.
- Reporters from other publications have joined in posting criticisms of the Times' editorial board's decision.
Our thought bubble via Axios' Sara Fischer: The New York Times faces unique criticism when it publishes some op-eds authored by right-wing or right-of-center opinion columnists, with examples including Bret Stephens.
- The Times, a traditionally left-leaning paper, experiences pressure to make sure its opinion page satisfies all of its stakeholders, investors, readership and employees. Sometimes its constituents take issue when the paper runs something from a perspective that's at odds with their viewpoint.