Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Amid Editorial Disputes

The Pentagon has terminated the editor-in-chief and publisher of Stars and Stripes, the newspaper dedicated to covering the U.S. military since the Civil War. Erik Slavin, the publication's editor-in-chief, told CBS News he was fired for "insubordination" after discussing disagreements with the Department of Defense (DoD) on the network. Publisher Max Lederer, who had announced his retirement just days prior, was also notified of his termination.

Reporter Lara Korte also announced her dismissal, stating on X that she was fired for insubordination after identifying herself as a Stars and Stripes reporter, not a Pentagon employee. These separations follow the newspaper's recent report on grim conditions for crewmembers aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. This story had reignited criticism of President Donald Trump's policies regarding the deployment and operations in the Middle East.

Slavin had previously pushed back against perceived editorial interference from the Pentagon. In a "CBS Sunday Morning" interview, he defined "Don't run a perfectly accurate story, run this instead. Here it is, written by the Pentagon" as a red line. Lederer's decision to step down was reportedly due to a fundamental difference in leadership philosophy and understanding of the newspaper's mission compared to the Pentagon's plans.

Under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the independence of Stars and Stripes and other military media outlets has faced increasing scrutiny since 2025. The recent installation of active duty U.S. Navy Captain William Urban as military deputy to the publisher is seen by many, including Democratic lawmakers, as a move that erodes the publication's long-held editorial independence. The DoD had earlier stated its intention to steer Stars and Stripes coverage away from "woke distractions."

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'Don't run a perfectly accurate story, run this instead. Here it is, written by the Pentagon.' That would be a red line.