Stars and Stripes publisher firing controversy
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
Judge denies ousted Stars and Stripes journalists' effort to reverse Pentagon firings
Lederer, Slavin and Korte said they were reviewing the decision with their attorneys and considering their next steps.
The lawsuit lists the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Sean Parnell, and Parnell's principal deputy assistant Andrew Brey as defendants.
Parnell wrote that the record showed the interviews were arranged with supervisor involvement, conducted at Stripes workplaces, and presented the speakers in their official titles, discussing the paper they run.
Judge refuses to block Pentagon from firing Stars and Stripes journalists
Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte sued the Pentagon to challenge their firings.
The defense department and defense secretary Pete Hegseth are named defendants in the lawsuit.
The Pentagon partially funds Stars and Stripes.
Pentagon allowed to proceed with firing Stars and Stripes journalists
McFadden found that Korte and Slavin's speech was likely part of their official job duties.
The plaintiffs were given separation notices in August and placed on administrative leave over allegations of insubordination.
Stars and Stripes is operated by the military and is partially funded by taxpayers, but has traditionally operated independently of military leadership or the White House.
“[At] bottom, on the current record, Plaintiffs' real complaint seems to be that they were victims of a cruel bait-and-switch. They are being fired for giving pre-approved interviews on their paper's behalf in which they largely toed the company line,”
Three journalists sue Pentagon after being fired from military news outlet
The Department of Defense issued termination notices to all three employees on August 21.
Lederer declined to comply with the order to fire Slavin and Korte and instead announced his intention to retire.
Trump and Hegseth denied reports of poor living conditions on the USS Lincoln, calling such news fake.
Fired Editor of Stars and Stripes Raises Censorship Concerns
Stars and Stripes reporter Lara Korte was also fired.
Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer was also dismissed from his role.
Max Lederer announced his retirement, citing fundamental disagreements with the Pentagon's plans for Stars and Stripes.
“It's a shame for the institution and service members, who swore to defend the Constitution and deserve the right to a free and independent press.”
Stars and Stripes Editor Expresses Censorship Concerns Following Dismissal
A reporter and the paper's publisher were also sacked.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed in the Gulf for months as the US-Israeli war with Iran continues.
An average of 1.4 million people consume Stars and Stripes's content daily, mostly online, according to CBS.
“It's a shame for the institution and service members, who swore to defend the Constitution and deserve the right to a free and independent press.”
Pentagon Dismisses Leadership and Editorial Staff at Stars and Stripes
Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal, Elizabeth Warren, and Jeanne Shaheen sent a joint letter to Pete Hegseth regarding the paper's independence.
Navy Captain William Urban, a Pentagon spokesperson, was named deputy publisher of Stars and Stripes.
Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer received a termination notice ahead of his planned retirement at the end of September.
“I stand by the principle that Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent, as required by law and by the department's own policies.”
Editor of Stars and Stripes newspaper dismissed
The Pentagon fired the editor-in-chief of the Stars and Stripes, Erik Slavin, as well as reporter Lara Korte.
Navy Captain William Urban, a Pentagon spokesperson, was appointed deputy publisher of Stars and Stripes.
A separation notice was sent to Max Lederer, the longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes, who had previously announced his retirement.
“I stand by the principle that Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent, as required by law and by the department's own policies.”
Pentagon moves to dismiss publisher and editor of Stars and Stripes
Erik Slavin said the firing notice accused him of insubordination over statements in a CBS interview regarding news censorship.
About half of the $29 million annual operating budget for Stars and Stripes is funded by taxpayers.
Publisher Max Lederer and Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin were given five days under their separation notices to appeal their dismissals.
“I stand by the principle that Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent, as required by law and by the department's own policies.”
Stars and Stripes publisher could be fired before planned retirement
The Pentagon said Stars and Stripes would no longer use Reuters or the Associated Press.
Pentagon officials have discussed firing Max Lederer ahead of his scheduled retirement, according to CBS News.
Jacqueline Smith, an ombudsman for Stars and Stripes, was fired in January after writing a story critical of restrictions.
“We are bringing Stars & Stripes into the 21st century. We will modernize its operations, refocus its content away from woke distractions that syphon morale, and adapt it to serve a new generation of service members.”
Publisher of US military newspaper resigns over differences with government
In June, reporters were banned from the Defense Department's press office, which was designated as a classified area.
During the first Trump presidency, the Pentagon sought to eliminate funding for Stars and Stripes, though Trump pledged not to cut its budget "under my watch".
Stars and Stripes was founded in 1861.
“returning Stars and Stripes to its original mission: reporting for our warfighters”