Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes leadership

On August 21, 2026, the United States — United States Department of Defense fired the editor-in-chief, publisher, and a reporter of Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper, citing insubordination. Editor Erik Slavin was dismissed after stating in a Paramount Global — CBS interview that hypothetical censorship of news for service members would constitute a red line. Publisher Max D. Lederer Jr., who had announced his retirement days earlier, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte were also dismissed. The firings follow the Pentagon's installation of Navy Capt. William Urban as deputy publisher without prior notice, and the earlier firing of ombudsman Jacqueline Smith in April. The moves are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to exert editorial control over the publication and remove what it calls 'woke distractions.' The Pentagon's actions have drawn criticism from the National Press Club and Democratic senators, who question the erosion of editorial independence.