Former NYT editor sought Schumer's permission to publish a Republican op-ed: Bari Weiss

Former New York Times editor Bari Weiss revealed on her podcast that an editor at the publication wanted then-Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's approval to publish an op-ed from Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott on police reform in 2020.

Weiss resigned from the outlet in July 2020 asserting that the paper had become too intolerant of dissenting views.

In an interview with Scott on her podcast, "Honestly with Bari Weiss," Weiss revealed the behind the scenes drama that surrounded Scott's submission at the height of the protests over the death of George Floyd.

The South Carolina Republican had sought to publicize the Justice Act, an ultimately unsuccessful police reform plan, with an op-ed. Weiss told him that the NYT staff discussed the submission at length.

“Well, here’s what happened,” Weiss said, per the New York Post. “And this is the part I’m not sure if you know. There was a discussion about the piece and whether or not we should run it.”

The former NYT editor then recounted a discussion between a senior editor and a more junior one in which the senior editor questioned Republican concern for minority rights.

"I think Tim Scott cares about minority rights," the junior editor said, per Weiss.

“And then, and here’s the pretty shocking part," she continued. "The more senior colleague said, ‘Let’s check with Sen. Schumer before we run it.'" The junior editor refused to do so over ethics concerns, Weiss concluded, and the column never ran.