Pentagon Purges Stars and Stripes Leadership Amid Editorial Standoff

Editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and publisher Max Lederer were both removed from their posts by the Department of Defense, citing insubordination. The move arrives shortly after the newspaper detailed grim living conditions for personnel on the USS Abraham Lincoln, a report that drew significant attention to the ongoing military deployment. Reporter Lara Korte was also dismissed after publicly asserting that her loyalty lay with the publication’s mission rather than administration policy.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has maintained a confrontational stance toward media outlets throughout his tenure, frequently labeling coverage as distractions. Tensions escalated last month when Slavin refused to accept Pentagon-authored content, declaring that running pre-written military narratives would cross an unacceptable red line. While Lederer had already announced his retirement, his forced termination underscores a shift in the Pentagon’s approach to the outlet. The recent appointment of Navy Captain William Urban to a deputy role further signaled an attempt to tighten control over the newspaper, drawing sharp rebukes from lawmakers concerned about the erosion of independent military journalism.