...

"Both of us concluded that James would not be able to lead the team through the next leg of change that is required."....

The op-ed, published Wednesday, prompted a virtual town hall with the staff Friday, at which Bennet apologized for the op-ed, saying that it should not have been published and that it resulted from a breakdown in a process meant to vet such pieces. Bennet did not reply to a request for comment Sunday.

The op-ed, by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., had "Send in the Troops" as its headline. "One thing above all else will restore order to our streets: an overwhelming show of force to disperse, detain and ultimately deter lawbreakers," the senator wrote.

As of Thursday evening, more than 800 staff members had signed a letter protesting its publication, addressed to high-ranking editors in the opinion and news divisions as well as New York Times Co. executives. The letter argued that Cotton's essay contained misinformation, such as his depiction of the role of "antifa" in the protests.