Sally Buzbee, the first female executive editor of The Washington Post, has resigned from her position, leaving the newsroom in a state of high anxiety. Her departure was announced late Sunday, sending shockwaves through the media world and turning the Post's office into a scene reminiscent of a caffeinated ant colony frantically preparing for an impending storm.

Buzbee had been a stalwart part of the Post for the past three years. Her tenure was marked not only by her historic position but also by the financial ups and (mostly) downs that the paper experienced. The Washington Post lost $77 million last year, and while this was a source of concern, Buzbee managed to keep the ship afloat and focused on delivering hard-hitting journalism. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to prevent the seemingly abrupt end to her chapter at the Post.

Before joining The Washington Post, Buzbee served as executive editor and senior vice president at the Associated Press, where her leadership in 2019 led to a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting on the war in Yemen. Clearly, she’s no stranger to fine journalism, and her leadership skills were praised by none other than William Lewis, CEO and publisher of The Washington Post. Lewis called her an incredible leader and supremely talented media executive, a sentiment that must feel bittersweet as she steps down.

The newsroom chaos is partially mitigated by the announcement of Buzbee’s interim replacement, Matt Murray, former editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal. He'll be taking the reins until the presidential election. It's a bit like switching captains in the middle of a storm, but Murray is no stranger to tumultuous waters. After the election, the role will be handed off to Robert Winnett, currently deputy editor of the Telegraph Media Group. Clearly, the Post enjoys shaking things up and keeping its readers—and possibly even its staff—on their toes.

Adding to the backdrop of this newsroom drama is the surprise factor of Buzbee’s resignation. With the November presidential election approaching fast, many find her move particularly baffling. After all, steering one of the most influential newspapers through an election year is no small feat. Yet, here we are, with the Post's newsroom buzzing louder than a congressional hearing room.

In response to these seismic shifts, The Washington Post is ambitiously creating a new division focusing on service and social media journalism. It’s slightly ironic, considering the paper has aimed to balance hard news with the ever-present tide of social media. But hey, perhaps Buzbee’s departure will usher in a new era of TikTok investigative reporting. Imagine Woodward and Bernstein on Instagram Live—stranger things have happened.

While financial struggles and a turbulent media landscape may have influenced Buzbee’s exit, her legacy at the Post is far from diminished. Her efforts were praised by her peers, and she leaves behind a newsroom that, while momentarily disoriented, is steeped in the tradition of formidable journalism.

So, what comes next for Buzbee? If history is any indication, she’ll likely land on her feet even if it’s in another high-octane newsroom or perhaps even authoring a tell-all book. Meanwhile, the rest of us will watch with bated breath as The Washington Post navigates its latest chapter without their buzzy Buzbee.