Stars and Stripes publisher firing controversy
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Judge denies ousted Stars and Stripes journalists' effort to reverse Pentagon firings
The Pentagon fired the journalists from the military newspaper over alleged insubordination.
According to the lawsuit, Pentagon leadership demanded Lederer fire Slavin and Korte one day after Stars and Stripes published its report on alleged strife aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote on X that the court applied settled Supreme Court law and that public employees do not receive First Amendment protection when they speak with the government’s voice.
Judge refuses to block Pentagon from firing Stars and Stripes journalists
US district judge Trevor McFadden declined to stop the Pentagon from firing Stars and Stripes journalists.
The Pentagon partially funds Stars and Stripes.
The defense department and defense secretary Pete Hegseth are named defendants in the lawsuit.
Pentagon allowed to proceed with firing Stars and Stripes journalists
In the CBS story, Lara Korte said she worked for Stars and Stripes, not for the Pentagon, not for any administration, not for any policymaker.
Lederer declined to present the separation notices and opted to resign, but was fired before he could do so.
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
Erik Slavin was dismissed by the US Department of Defense for insubordination.
According to CBS, Stars and Stripes content is consumed by an average of 1.4 million people daily.
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
Stars and Stripes has been editorially independent through a congressional mandate and DoD rules, even though partially funded by the Pentagon.
The paper is still printed outside the US for members of the military in places with unreliable internet access.
Stars and Stripes reported that publisher Max Lederer was also fired.
“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
The stated justification for the dismissals was insubordination.
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.”
Editor of Stars and Stripes newspaper dismissed
A separation notice was sent to Max Lederer, the longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes, who had previously announced his retirement.
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.”
Pentagon Dismisses Leadership and Editorial Staff at Stars and Stripes
Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer received a termination notice ahead of his planned retirement at the end of September.
Navy Captain William Urban, a Pentagon spokesperson, was named deputy publisher of Stars and Stripes.
The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and 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
Stars and Stripes reaches about 1.4 million readers daily online and via an overseas print edition.
The Pentagon said Stars and Stripes would no longer use Reuters or the Associated Press.
Max Lederer has served as publisher of Stars and Stripes for 19 years.
“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
Max D Lederer Jr resigned as publisher of Stars and Stripes.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accused Stars and Stripes of promoting "woke distractions".
In June, reporters were banned from the Defense Department's press office, which was designated as a classified area.
“returning Stars and Stripes to its original mission: reporting for our warfighters”