[REVISION HISTORY]

Pentagon dismissals of Stars and Stripes leadership

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2026-08-22 08:16 UTC → 2026-08-22 10:21 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Pentagon has dismissed several key leaders of Stars and Stripes, a newspaper serving U.S. military ~~personnel.~~ personnel, on charges of insubordination. The terminations include editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer Jr., and Middle East reporter Lara Korte. Those dismissed indicated their removals were linked to their defense of editorial independence. Slavin noted the Pentagon cited insubordination after he described potential news censorship for service members as a ‘red line’ during a CBS interview. Korte stated her professional loyalty lies with the newspaper rather than the Pentagon. Lederer, who had planned to retire in September, cited fundamental differences in mission and leadership philosophy with the Department of Defense. The dismissals follow reports by the publication regarding difficult conditions for Navy sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, the Department of Defense had previously expressed a desire to distance the newspaper from what it characterized as ‘woke distractions.’ Media advocacy groups, including the National Press Club, have criticized the Pentagon’s actions, characterizing the dismissals as an attempt to dictate military news ~~coverage.~~ coverage and raising concerns regarding press freedom and government interference in military journalism.

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