CNN has made another round of leadership and organizational changes in its Washington, D.C. bureau as the network continues to reorganize following a sharp decline in ratings after the 2024 election.
Phillip Rucker, formerly a senior editor at The Washington Post, has been named the new chief of CNN’s D.C. operations.
He replaces Adam Levine, who had been serving as the network’s senior vice president for the region.
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The change marks a notable shift in CNN’s editorial leadership and strategy, particularly as it continues to reshape its political and investigative coverage under CEO Mark Thompson.
According to a report from the Status newsletter authored by former CNN employee Oliver Darcy, Levine’s role has been reduced to leading CNN’s investigative team and overseeing a new unit referred to internally as the “hub desk.”
Rucker will now oversee CNN’s coverage of breaking news, enterprise reporting, the White House, Capitol Hill, the Justice Department, and national security.
A CNN staff member, who spoke with Status on the condition of anonymity, said Levine was “caught off guard by the sudden power shift” and “uncomfortable” during a staff meeting on Thursday when Executive Editor Virginia Moseley announced the changes.
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“There’s no question, he was demoted,” the staffer said.
The head of CNN’s coverage of Washington DC and the US’s turbulent political world has been ‘demoted’ as the network grapples with how to report on Donald Trump’s second White House stint, a report said.
Philip Rucker, a former senior editor at The Washington Post, has… pic.twitter.com/PzsW2I8pXA
— Gabriela Iglesias (@iglesias_gabby) March 22, 2025
Rucker had previously played a key role in overseeing CNN’s Washington operations, but his position had reportedly diminished in recent weeks.
His return to a more prominent role is part of a broader effort by CNN leadership to reestablish its political coverage team ahead of the 2026 midterms and the ongoing second term of the Trump administration.
The shakeup in Washington is part of a larger pattern of changes at CNN that began following the departure of former network president Jeff Zucker in 2022.
Zucker’s successor, Chris Licht, attempted to steer the network in a more centrist editorial direction, but ultimately stepped down after struggling to stabilize CNN’s ratings and internal structure.
Earlier this month, former CNN director Allison Hoffman also quietly exited the network, further underscoring the extent of the organizational changes taking place.
CEO Mark Thompson, who took over in late 2023, announced in January that CNN would be laying off approximately six percent of its workforce as part of a broader restructuring plan.
In a memo obtained by CNBC, Thompson acknowledged the impact on affected staff but emphasized the need for change.
“I know that whatever the total number of job losses, the impact on the individuals involved can be immense,” Thompson wrote.
“The process of change is essential if we’re to thrive in the future, but I both acknowledge and regret its very real human consequences.”
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The news comes as CNN’s Chris Wallace says he is not returning after his contract expires.
“In the next few months, I’m told, CNN will implement another round of layoffs… pic.twitter.com/oHn9uJVNL9
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 12, 2024
Despite the layoffs, Thompson said overall headcount may remain relatively stable in 2025, as the network intends to invest $70 million in digital operations.
That investment is expected to include improvements to CNN’s streaming and online news platforms, a key area of focus as the network looks to remain competitive in a shifting media landscape.
Sources familiar with the network’s operations told Status that some of CNN’s New York and Washington-based programs may be relocated to its Atlanta headquarters to cut production costs.
The potential move reflects ongoing efforts to consolidate resources and improve efficiency as the network adjusts to a new phase of leadership and strategy.
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