Pentagon sacks military newspaper chiefs over editorial freedom row

US President Donald Trump speaks during in a 9/11 observance ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Washington, DC on September 11, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

The Pentagon on Friday fired the editor-in-chief and publisher of the Stars and Stripes newspaper, which has covered the US military since the Civil War, leadership at the publication told US media.

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 Defense.

The department stated earlier this year 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 X: “Today, I was informed that the Department of Defense 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 policy maker.”

The separation notices came just days after the newspaper, which is partially funded by the Department of Defense but has long maintained editorial independence, reported on grim conditions for crewmembers aboard the 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 a new carrier strike group arrived in the region, and Trump said the Lincoln would be swapped out.

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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 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, the publisher, announced his retirement from the paper Tuesday, to take effect September 30.

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 plans the Pentagon has for the organization.

US Secretary of Defense 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, active duty US Navy Captain William Urban was installed as military deputy to the publisher, a move interpreted by many, including Democratic lawmakers, as eroding the publication’s independence.