The scandal was sparked by a Twitter post on Grunwalds account which stated that he is eager to write an article on Julian Assanges execution by a drone.
WikiLeaks tweeted that they have sent a letter to the publication demanding Grunwalds resignation. They have said that the magazine must show that journalists calling for the murder of other journalists is never acceptable.
We have written to TIME magazine to ask for Michael Grunwald's resignation https://t.co/X8Rf3TN5MY
WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 18, 2013
.@TIME must show that journalists calling for the murder of other journalists, or, indeed, anybody, is never acceptable. @TheTinaBeast
WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 18, 2013
The tweet, which has been deleted by the author, said, I can't wait to write a defense of the drone strike that takes out Julian Assange.
Don't worry, @MikeGrunwald, deleter of history, your support for the assassination of #Assange has been archived: http://t.co/Wek5dquJ0j
WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 18, 2013
Following the post, Twitter exploded with harsh criticism of both Grunwald and TIME magazine.
@wikileaks @TIME This should, at the very least, disqualify @MikeGrunwald from writing about Wikileaks for Time.
Julian Gonzalez (@julianjg) August 18, 2013
@wikileaks @TIME Isn't TIME magazine part of the problem and not the solution. Perhaps sensible people should boycott them and not buy.
peter yallouros (@peteryallouros) August 18, 2013
Although Grunwald responded to the criticism by saying that the original post was a dumb tweet and deleting it, TIME has so far not offered any comment on the employees statement.
Fair point. I'll delete. @rober1236Jua my main problem with this is it gives Assange supporters a nice safe persecution complex to hide in
Michael Grunwald (@MikeGrunwald) August 17, 2013
It was a dumb tweet. I'm sorry. I deserve the backlash. (Maybe not the anti-Semitic stuff but otherwise I asked for it.)
Michael Grunwald (@MikeGrunwald) August 18, 2013