The Pentagon terminated the publisher, editor-in-chief, and a reporter from the military newspaper Stars and Stripes on Friday, citing alleged insubordination. The dismissed individuals are Max Lederer, Erik Slavin, and Lara Korte. Their firings follow their unauthorized participation in a CBS Sunday Morning segment discussing the Pentagon's plans to reform the newspaper and Slavin's refusal to comply with directives from Pentagon leadership regarding their employment.
Slavin stated that he was dismissed for asserting in the CBS interview that censorship of news for service members would be unacceptable. He emphasized the importance of editorial independence for Stars and Stripes, as mandated by law and Pentagon policies. Slavin has been with the newspaper since 2005 and became editor-in-chief in September 2025. Korte, who joined in 2024, expressed her disappointment over the firing, highlighting her commitment to sharing military stories and the importance of a free press.
Lederer, who has served as publisher for 19 years, had previously announced plans to retire due to disagreements with Pentagon leadership regarding the paper's direction. The dismissed staff members have five days to appeal their terminations. A Pentagon spokesperson referenced a letter from Captain William Urban, who outlined a vision for Stars and Stripes that prioritizes impactful journalism while maintaining editorial independence. The Pentagon announced plans to overhaul Stars and Stripes at the beginning of 2026, aiming to modernize its operations and refocus its content.