Pentagon Fires Editor of Military Newspaper Stars and Stripes

The Pentagon has dismissed Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, according to Slavin and CBS. Separation notices were issued Friday, August 21, with CBS reporting that Slavin and Lederer had five days to appeal. Slavin told the Associated Press he was dismissed for insubordination after a CBS interview in which he said censorship of news for service members would cross a red line. Lederer had announced retirement effective September 30, citing fundamental disagreements with Defense Department leadership over the newspaper’s mission. The dismissals follow the Pentagon’s placement of an active-duty public-affairs officer as deputy publisher, prompting three Democratic senators to seek answers from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Stars and Stripes is Pentagon-funded but has historically maintained editorial independence. The Defense Department declined comment to CBS. The latest actions further intensify a months-long dispute over the newspaper’s independence and future direction nationwide.