Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes Editors After Carrier Report
The Pentagon reportedly dismissed three people at Stars and Stripes newspaper.
They included the editor-in-chief, a publisher, and a reporter.
The newspaper had recently written about difficult conditions for workers on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The story led to criticism of the Trump administration’s actions in the Iran war.
Washington later denied the newspaper’s claims.
Stars and Stripes gets some money from the United States Department of Defense.
However, it has traditionally operated with editorial independence.
The editor-in-chief had also spoken publicly against government interference.
The article does not give an official reason for the dismissals.
The Pentagon reportedly fired the Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief, a publisher, and a reporter on Friday.
The dismissals came days after the newspaper reported grim conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Stars and Stripes receives partial funding from the United States Department of Defense but has long maintained editorial independence.
The report prompted criticism of the Trump administration’s actions in the Iran war.
Washington later denied the report’s claims, while the editor-in-chief had publicly opposed Defense Department interference.
- Who
- The Pentagon reportedly dismissed the Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief, a publisher, and a reporter.
- What
- Three Stars and Stripes staff members were reportedly fired shortly after the newspaper published a report about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
- When
- The dismissals reportedly occurred on Friday, days after the newspaper’s report.
- Where
- The report concerned the USS Abraham Lincoln; the article does not specify where the dismissals occurred.
- Why
- No official reason is provided; the timing followed a report that drew criticism of the Trump administration and was later denied by Washington.
Press-freedom concerns
Government denial
Meaning of the dismissals
Press-freedom concerns
The timing of the reported firings, shortly after a critical report, raises concerns that editorial independence may have been threatened.
Government denial
The article does not state that the dismissals were retaliation, and Washington denied the report’s claims about conditions aboard the ship.
Accuracy of the shipboard report
Press-freedom concerns
Stars and Stripes reported grim conditions for crewmembers aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Government denial
Washington rejected the newspaper’s account, denying its claims.
- Reported action
- The Pentagon reportedly fired the editor-in-chief, a publisher, and a reporter.
- Newspaper
- Stars and Stripes
- Subject of report
- Conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln
- Funding
- The newspaper is partially funded by the United States Department of Defense.
- Editorial status
- Stars and Stripes has long maintained editorial independence.
- Government response
- Washington later denied the report’s claims.
- Prior public position
- The editor-in-chief had spoken publicly against Defense Department interference.