Pentagon fires leaders of US military newspaper after they criticise interference
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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has been severely critical of the media since taking the helm in 2025, and the independence of Stars and Stripes and other military media has come under threat.
PHOTO: SALWAN GEORGES/NYTIMES
WASHINGTON – The Pentagon has fired the editor-in-chief and publisher of the Stars and Stripes newspaper, which has covered the US military since the 1861-1865 Civil War, leadership at the publication told US media on Aug 21.
The publication’s editor-in-chief Erik Slavin told CBS News he was being fired for “insubordination” following an interview with the network where he spoke about disagreements with the Department of Defence (DOD).
The department stated earlier in 2026 that it was seeking to steer Stars and Stripes coverage away from “woke distractions”.
Max Lederer, who has served as the publication’s publisher since 2007 and had announced his retirement just three days prior, was also notified he was being terminated, according to CBS.
Stars and Stripes reporter Lara Korte said she, too, was sacked, posting on social media platform X: “Today, I was informed that the Department of Defence is firing me for insubordination after I told a CBS reporter that I work for Stars and Stripes – not the Pentagon, not any administration and not any policymaker.”
The separation notices came just days after the newspaper, which is partially funded by DOD but has long maintained editorial independence, reported on grim conditions for crew members aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
The story provoked fresh criticism of President Donald Trump’s war against Iran.
The aircraft carrier had been deployed since before the Middle East war began in February. Last weekend, the military announced that a new carrier strike group had arrived in the region, and Trump said the Lincoln would be swopped out.
Slavin made waves in July when he pushed back on editorial interference by the Pentagon.
Asked on CBS Sunday Morning if he had any red lines he would not cross, Slavin responded: “‘Don’t run a perfectly accurate story, run this instead. Here it is, written by the Pentagon.’ That would be a red line.”
Lederer announced his retirement from the paper on Aug 18 and it was to have taken effect on Sept 30.
He chose to step down because he realised his philosophy of leadership and “understanding of the value and mission of Stars and Stripes” differed in “fundamental ways” from plans the Pentagon has for the organisation.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has been severely critical of the media since taking the helm in 2025, and the independence of Stars and Stripes and other military media has come under threat.
Shortly before Lederer announced his resignation, William Urban, an active-duty US Navy captain, was installed as military deputy to the publisher, a move interpreted by many, including Democratic lawmakers, as eroding the publication’s independence. AFP