“The Washington bureau is one of the crown jewels of The New York Times,” said Bill Keller, executive editor. “At the moment the bureau is as rich in talent and accomplishment as any time in its storied history.”

Rumors had been saying Baquet might join the ranks of the New York Times, where he first worked as a metropolitan reporter in 1990. He was promoted to national editor in 1995 before moving to the LA Times in 2000.

"Back in 2005 when Dean moved into the top job in Los Angeles I described him as 'a world-class investigator, an inspiring editor and a barrel of fun.' Since then he has demonstrated that, in addition to being all of those things, he is a charismatic leader, an unflinching advocate of the value and values of journalism,” said Keller.

Philip Taubman, current chief of the Washington bureau, will be promoted to associate editor of the Times.

“Phil presided over a period of ambitious rebuilding and still more ambitious journalism. He leaves behind a great editing team. And he leaves behind a bureau that has taken to heart a mandate for incisive, original and hard-hitting coverage,” said Keller.

Source: New York Times Co.