The Pentagon has appointed Christian Devine, the executive director of the Pentagon’s public affairs office, as the interim publisher of Stars and Stripes. This appointment follows the recent dismissal of the newspaper's leadership. Stars and Stripes has been in continuous publication since World War II and serves the US military community, including active-duty servicemembers, Department of Defense civilians, veterans, contractors, and their families, emphasizing its commitment to editorial independence under the First Amendment.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated, "The Pentagon is proud to appoint Chris Devine to serve as acting publisher of Stars and Stripes." He highlighted Devine's background as a former Marine Corps colonel and his experience in public affairs, noting his strategic vision and commitment to maintaining the newspaper's editorial independence while focusing on mission-oriented reporting.
Devine will continue his role in the public affairs office while serving as interim publisher until a permanent replacement is appointed. He expressed his intention to support the organization during this transitional period, stating, "It’s a dynamic media organization with a prestigious history and purpose, and I hope I can lend a strong arm during the interim to the men and women who continue to contribute to its notable legacy."
The Pentagon, which finances approximately half of Stars and Stripes’ annual budget, announced plans to modernize the publication in early 2026. Parnell indicated that the Department of War aims to refocus Stars and Stripes on its original mission, emphasizing military-related content and distancing it from what he described as "woke distractions."
As part of the leadership changes, former publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte were dismissed in August. Their terminations were reportedly linked to their unauthorized participation in a CBS segment discussing the Pentagon's plans for the publication and Lederer's refusal to comply with directives from Pentagon leadership. They have since filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon, claiming violations of their First Amendment rights and statutory protections. In September, a US District Judge denied their request for a temporary restraining order to reverse their firings, stating they did not meet the burden of proof required for such an injunction.