Veteran CBS News correspondent Mark Knoller included in layoffs: report

Veteran White House correspondent Mark Knoller has reportedly been laid off by CBS News, promoting reactions of lament from journalists across the media spectrum.

Knoller, who has been at CBS News for 32 years, primarily reporting for CBS News Radio, wrote in a tweet that he’s still with the organization “for the time being.”

“Thanks to all for the many kind words. Much appreciated. For the time being, I’m still on the job, still keeping count on the president. Will see what happens. Thanks again,” Knoller wrote on Twitter to his more than 335,000 followers.

Thanks to all for the many kind words. Much appreciated. For the time being, I’m still on the job, still keeping count on the president. Will see what happens. Thanks again.

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) May 28, 2020

A CBS News spokesperson directed The Hill back to Knoller’s tweet when reached for comment. Knoller’s layoff was reported on Twitter by New York Magazine and HuffPost contributor Yashar Ali.

Knoller has won universal respect in the journalism world for his objectivity. He’s also been referred to as a “human encyclopedia” known for counting certain aspects of each presidency.

Pres motorcade departs WH this morning at 9:52AM and arrived 35 mins later at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, VA. By my count, its Pres Trump’s 185th golf outing spanning all or part of 247 days. pic.twitter.com/oIxpoTOR7i

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) May 23, 2020

A 2013 profile in the Washingtonian captured Knoller’s photographic mind thusly:

“‘Mark, when was President Obama’s last full news conference?’ asks a reporter from Reuters working on a deadline.

“’March 6, 2012,’ Knoller says without looking up from his computer screen as he updates his Twitter feed. ‘It was 44 minutes long. It was in the briefing room.’”

His career covering presidents spans back to the Ford administration when he reported for The Associated Press.

Journalists and former administration officials praised Knoller as news spread of his impending departure from CBS News.

It’s a true shame that @markknoller, one of few genuine WH reporters left, has lost his job. As I wrote not long ago, there is no “incentive to be a grounded, straight-down-the-line, unbiased journalist these days.” https://t.co/MYJq1m4YHo

— David Harsanyi (@davidharsanyi) May 28, 2020

Knoller was a resource for a lot of colleagues. It’s awful. https://t.co/xTaGiPhDwg

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) May 28, 2020

Knoller’s feed is the Joe Friday of politics Twitter — just the facts. It’s indispensable. Terrible news. https://t.co/sKo3hBSvl3

— Steve Cavendish (@scavendish) May 28, 2020

How could you let Mark Knoller go. What kind of monster does that?

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) May 28, 2020

Am truly hoping news about the job status of @markknoller isn’t true. To say he chronicles the President is a dramatic understatement. His reporting and literal knowledge of Presidential movements are vital. The WH staff often relied on his numbers about events. One of the best.

— Robert Gibbs (@Robt_Gibbs) May 28, 2020

As White House Press Secretary I enjoyed working with @MarkKnoller who is a good journalist and an encyclopedia of knowledge on the Presidency. If true this is a big loss to the @whpresscorps and his absence will be felt by many. https://t.co/xywCMiHhIU

— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) May 28, 2020

This is bad news, if true. Mark Knoller is the standard to which everyone else should aspire. https://t.co/Ce7osSIWYq

— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) May 28, 2020