The reporters, all members of the newspaper’s union, defended political reporter Felicia Sonmez, who said she has received death threats after posting the tweets.

‘Felicia received an onslaught of violent messages, including threats that contained her home address, in the wake of a tweet Sunday regarding Kobe Bryant,’ the Washington Post Newspaper Guild wrote on behalf of the reporters in a letter to Marty Baron, the newspaper’s editor and Tracy Grant, managing editor for staff development and standards.

The union protested against Sonmez being placed on administrative leave while newsroom leadership reviewed the paper’s social media policy.

‘Felicia had to leave her home out of fear for her safety and has gotten insufficient guidance from The Post on how to protect herself,’ the letter says.