Stars and Stripes publisher firing controversy
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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.
Stars and Stripes former ombudsman Jacqueline Smith sued the Pentagon in June, saying she was fired in retaliation for an opinion column.
Lederer declined to fire Slavin and Korte and later announced his retirement, saying the Pentagon installed a new deputy publisher without his knowledge.
Pentagon allowed to proceed with firing Stars and Stripes journalists
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden turned down a request by the newspaper's publisher, editor-in-chief and Middle East reporter to halt their firings while a lawsuit works through the court system.
Lederer declined to present the separation notices and opted to resign, but was fired before he could do so.
McFadden found the government likely did not violate the plaintiffs' First Amendment rights by firing them.
“[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 had been with Stars and Stripes for 25 years, and Slavin for 21 years.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in January the department would return Stars and Stripes to its original mission of reporting for warfighters.
Fired Editor of Stars and Stripes Raises Censorship Concerns
According to CBS, Stars and Stripes content is consumed by an average of 1.4 million people daily.
In April 2025, a US judge directed the administration to reinstate the Associated Press's access to presidential events.
The Pentagon declined to provide comment to the BBC regarding the dismissals.
“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
Max Lederer announced his retirement on Tuesday, saying his understanding of the paper's value and mission differed in fundamental ways from the Pentagon's plans for the publication.
National Press Club president Mark Schoeff Jr described Slavin's firing as another brazen attempt by the Pentagon to dictate coverage of the military and said it should be immediately reversed.
Erik Slavin was dismissed by the US Department of Defense for "insubordination".
“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 moves to dismiss publisher and editor of Stars and Stripes
About half of the $29 million annual operating budget for Stars and Stripes is funded by taxpayers.
Capt. William Urban stated he was selected two weeks prior to serve in the newly created role of military deputy to the publisher.
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.”
Pentagon Dismisses Leadership and Editorial Staff at Stars and Stripes
The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and reporter Lara Korte.
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.
“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
Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal, Elizabeth Warren, and Jeanne Shaheen sent a joint letter to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth regarding the independence of Stars and Stripes.
Navy Captain William Urban, a Pentagon spokesperson, was appointed deputy publisher of Stars and Stripes.
The Pentagon fired the editor-in-chief of the Stars and Stripes, Erik Slavin, as well as reporter Lara Korte.
“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
Jacqueline Smith sued the Pentagon, alleging that her termination was retaliatory.
Max Lederer has served as publisher of Stars and Stripes for 19 years.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the Pentagon would modernize Stars and Stripes' operations and refocus its content away from what he called woke distractions.
“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
Lederer said his philosophy of leadership and understanding of Stars and Stripes' mission differ from the Defense Department leadership's direction for the organization.
The US launched a war on Iran with Israel on February 28.
Jacqueline Smith wrote that no one should be surprised that they were kicking out the one person charged by Congress with protecting Stars and Stripes' editorial independence.
“returning Stars and Stripes to its original mission: reporting for our warfighters”