It’s back to the future for Stephen G. Smith. Atlantic Media on Thursday named Smith editor in chief of National Journal. Smith, who was editor of National Journal from 1996 to 1998, was most recently editor of the Washington Examiner.

In addition, Ben Pershing has been promoted to managing editor. He joined National Journal in 2014 as Washington editor and before that was a staff writer at the Washington Post.

Smith rejoins National Journal in December. Along with Pershing, Smith will spearhead complete print and digital redesigns of National Journal Daily, which provides news, analysis and insights regarding the goings-on at Capitol Hill and the federal government.

“While the tempo of journalism and the interests of National Journal readers have evolved, the need for essential information about government and politics remains as strong as ever,” Smith said, in a statement. “We aim to make ourselves even more indispensable to Washington’s opinion leaders.”

However, Smith will take charge of a shrinking newsroom, as the publication plans to cut about 25 percent of the staff in the next few months.

The pending layoffs are most likely a result of the decision last summer to cease print publication of the 46-year-old National Journal magazine by the end of the year.