The Pentagon fired the editor-in-chief and publisher of Stars and Stripes after they spoke out about editorial interference, with staff saying they were terminated for insubordination, CBS News reported.
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The Pentagon on Friday fired the editor-in-chief and publisher of the Stars and Stripes newspaper, the publication's leadership told CBS News. Editor-in-chief Erik Slavin said he was terminated for "insubordination" after he spoke to the network about disagreements with the Department of Defense. Publisher Max Lederer, who had announced his retirement three days earlier, was also notified of his termination, according to CBS. Reporter Lara Korte said she was sacked as well. She posted on X that the Pentagon fired her for insubordination after she told a CBS reporter that she worked for Stars and Stripes, not the Pentagon or any administration.
The separations came days after the newspaper reported on grim conditions for crewmembers aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. That 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 a new carrier strike group had arrived in the region. Trump said the Lincoln would be swapped out.
Slavin made waves last month when he pushed back on editorial interference by the Pentagon. Asked on "CBS Sunday Morning" if he had any red lines, he replied: "Don't run a perfectly accurate story, run this instead. Here it is, written by the Pentagon. That would be a red line."
The Pentagon earlier this year said it was seeking to steer Stars and Stripes coverage away from "woke distractions." Lederer, who had served as publisher since 2007, said he chose to step down because he realized his philosophy of leadership and understanding of the value and mission of Stars and Stripes differed in "fundamental ways" from the Pentagon's plans for the organization.
Shortly before Lederer announced his resignation, active duty Navy Captain William Urban was installed as military deputy to the publisher. Democrats and others interpreted the move as eroding the publication's independence. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been severely critical of the media since taking office in 2025. The independence of Stars and Stripes and other military outlets has come under threat.
Lederer had announced his retirement Tuesday, effective September 30. The Pentagon terminated him three days later.
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