CNN’s Chief National Security Correspondent, Alex Marquardt, has departed from the network after eight years. His exit follows a defamation trial that led to significant financial damages for CNN five months earlier.
Marquardt shared news of his departure on Monday, June 2, 2025, via a post on X, where he described his time at CNN as eight terrific years. He expressed appreciation for his colleagues on the National Security team and those he collaborated with both domestically and internationally.
Former CNN media correspondent Oliver Darcy reported that Marquardt’s dismissal was due to editorial differences with network leadership. CNN did not comment on the reasons for his departure, referencing a policy against discussing personnel issues, but confirmed the accuracy of Marquardt’s social media announcement.
The departure is linked to a legal issue concerning Marquardt’s November 2021 report on private contractors aiding Afghan evacuations during the U.S. military’s withdrawal under the administration of former President Biden. The report highlighted U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young, who sued CNN for defamation, claiming the coverage damaged his reputation and security consulting business.
In January 2025, a Bay County, Florida jury found CNN guilty of defaming Young through Marquardt’s reporting. The segment, aired on “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” implied Young operated in a black market and charged high fees to Afghans seeking evacuation.
The jury awarded Young five million dollars in compensatory damages after less than nine hours of deliberation following a two-week trial in Panama City, Florida. CNN and Young reached an undisclosed settlement before jurors could decide on punitive damages, which the jury foreman later suggested could have been between $50 million and $100 million.
Internal communications surfaced during the trial, including a message from Marquardt to a CNN colleague saying they would “nail this Zachary Young” with profanity. A CNN producer also made negative remarks about Young’s appearance, describing him as having a punchable face.
Young testified that his business charged corporate sponsors for Afghan evacuations rather than targeting individuals, contradicting CNN’s portrayal of his operations. He asserted that CNN’s coverage unfairly labeled him as an illegal profiteer, harming his security consulting career.
Insiders indicated that Marquardt’s departure was related to the defamation case, although the timing was puzzling, as five months had passed since the trial’s conclusion. A network staffer mentioned that Marquardt had not committed any other infractions, making the legal case the apparent reason for his exit.
Following the trial, CNN initially supported Marquardt, with a spokesperson describing him as an experienced and insightful reporter. He continued to appear on-air regularly until late May 2025, even acting as a fill-in anchor on Memorial Day.
According to the Status newsletter, Marquardt’s dismissal followed an ethics compliance review conducted by CNN earlier this year. This review included interviews with Marquardt and others involved in the defamatory report. Network leadership notified Marquardt of their decision on Friday, May 30, citing unspecified editorial differences.
Following the January verdict, CNN reaffirmed its commitment to rigorous journalism while acknowledging that it would learn valuable lessons from the case. The network emphasized pride in its journalists and commitment to fearless, fair-minded reporting despite the legal setback.
Young expressed no forgiveness toward Marquardt post-trial, criticizing the correspondent’s defiant stance during testimony. Young noted that Marquardt had several opportunities during depositions and trial proceedings to apologize but chose not to, maintaining pride in his reporting.
Marquardt’s tenure at CNN included significant coverage of events such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the January 6 Capitol insurrection, and Black Lives Matter protests. Before joining CNN in 2017, he served as a foreign correspondent for ABC News, based in cities including Moscow, Jerusalem, Beirut, and London.
The seasoned journalist has received multiple accolades, including Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards for an undercover investigation of underage sex trafficking in the Philippines. Marquardt has not announced his future career plans following his departure from CNN.
