The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes' editor, publisher and reporter after comments defending editorial independence.
Why it matters: The dispute puts federal control over a military newspaper in direct tension with press independence. For readers, it shows how a Defense Department policy fight can affect how news for service members is edited and delivered.
- On Aug. 21, 2026, the Pentagon fired editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max D. Lederer Jr. and reporter Lara Korte.
- Slavin said the firing cited insubordination tied to a CBS interview in which he described censorship of service-member news as a red line.
- Korte said on X that she was fired for telling CBS she works for Stars and Stripes, not the Pentagon, the administration or policymakers.
- Stars and Stripes reported in March 2026 that a Pentagon modernization memo expanded Defense Department oversight and introduced new content restrictions.
The Pentagon's removal of Stars and Stripes' top editor, publisher and a reporter escalates a dispute over who controls the military newspaper's newsroom.
Slavin said his termination cited insubordination after a CBS interview in which he said "hypothetical censorship of news for service members would constitute a red line" and that "Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent, as required by law and by the department’s own policies". AP
Korte said on X that she was fired for telling CBS, "I work for Stars and Stripes - not the Pentagon, not the administration, and not any policy maker". X
The dispute follows months of Pentagon pressure on the publication. In March 2026, Stars and Stripes reported that a Pentagon modernization memo expanded Defense Department oversight and introduced new content restrictions. Stars and Stripes
Just two days before the firings, Lederer announced he would retire effective Sept. 30, saying his philosophy and understanding of the publication's mission differed in fundamental ways from Defense Department leadership. AP
Stars and Stripes says it is editorially independent and that Pentagon funding covers roughly half its annual budget, mainly for printing and distribution to troops worldwide. The paper traces its origins to 1861 and its modern continuous publication to 1942. Stars and Stripes
By the numbers
- 3 - Stars and Stripes staffers fired by the Pentagon on Aug. 21, 2026.
- 50% - Roughly half of the paper's annual budget comes from Pentagon funding, mainly for printing and distribution.