Washington Post publisher Jeff Bezos announced earlier this year that the paper will adopt a new editorial theme which focuses on "personal liberties and free markets."

That change hasn't gone over well among some of its staff, with one longtime columnist resigning in response. 

Columnist says Bezos has "broken the trust of readers"

According to NBC News, Ruth Marcus revealed on Monday that she has decided to end her four-decade-long relationship with the Post.

She announced her resignation in a letter sent to Bezos along with Post CEO William Lewis, whom Marcus accused of rejecting a column she had submitted.

"Will's decision to not run the column that I wrote respectfully dissenting from Jeff's edict — something that I have not experienced in almost two decades of column-writing — underscores that the traditional freedom of columnists to select topics they wish to address and say what they think has been dangerously eroded," Marcus complained.

She went on to accuse the Post's management of having broken "the trust of readers that columnists are writing what they believe, and not what the owners has deemed acceptable."

The Post's opinion editor previously resigned

"I love the Post. It breaks my heart to conclude that I must leave. I have the deepest affection and admiration for my colleagues and will miss them every day," Marcus continued.

As she drew to a close, Marcus wished Bezos and Lewis "the best as you steer this storied and critical institution through troubled times."

A spokesperson for the Post reacted to Marcus' departure with a statement that read, "We’re grateful for Ruth’s significant contributions to The Washington Post over the past 40 years. We respect her decision to leave and wish her the best."

Marcus is not the first figure to part ways with the Post over Bezos' desire for a new direction, as opinion editor David Shipley did so as well.

Bezos attended Trump's inauguration

"After careful consideration, David decided to step away," NBC News quoted Bezos as saying a social media post put up late last month.

"This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction," the publisher noted.

"I'm confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void," he added.

NBC News pointed out that the changes which Bezos has implemented at the Post came not long after he attended President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony.