Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes Leaders Over Censorship Dispute
The Pentagon fired three people who worked at Stars and Stripes, a newspaper for military members and their families.
The people were editor Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte.
The Pentagon said the dismissals involved insubordination.
Slavin said he was punished after warning that censoring the newspaper would be wrong.
Korte said working for Stars and Stripes did not mean working for the Pentagon or the administration.
The employees said the newspaper should be able to report independently.
The Pentagon had recently placed Navy Capt.
William Urban in a leadership role at the newspaper.
The newspaper had also reported concerns about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, although the reports do not prove that story caused the firings.
The Pentagon dismissed editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte for alleged insubordination.
Slavin said he was fired after warning in a CBS interview that censoring news for service members would cross a personal “red line.”
Korte said she was dismissed after saying she worked for Stars and Stripes, not the Pentagon, administration, or policymakers.
The dismissals followed the appointment of Navy Capt. William Urban as military deputy to the publisher and came before Lederer’s planned September retirement.
The Pentagon has sought greater control over the partly Defense-funded newspaper, while employees and press advocates have defended its editorial independence.
- Who
- The Pentagon dismissed Erik Slavin, Max Lederer, and Lara Korte from Stars and Stripes.
- What
- The dismissals involved an alleged insubordination dispute over editorial independence and possible Defense Department censorship.
- When
- The dismissals were reported on August 22, 2026; Lederer had planned to retire at the end of September.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Stars and Stripes and the U.S. Department of Defense.
- Why
- The Pentagon cited insubordination, while Slavin and Korte said the action followed their public opposition to potential editorial interference.
Editorial Independence
Pentagon Oversight
Reason for the dismissals
Editorial Independence
Slavin said he was fired after warning that hypothetical censorship of news for service members would cross a personal “red line.” Korte said she was dismissed after stating that she worked for Stars and Stripes rather than the Pentagon, administration, or policymakers.
Pentagon Oversight
The Pentagon reportedly based the dismissals on insubordination. The department did not immediately respond to some requests for comment.
Mission and editorial direction
Editorial Independence
Slavin, Lederer, Korte, and other staff defended Stars and Stripes as an editorially independent publication serving service members, their families, and the wider military community.
Pentagon Oversight
Pentagon officials have sought to modernize the newspaper, focus its coverage on military subjects, and remove what they describe as “woke distractions.”
Potential effect on coverage
Editorial Independence
Press-freedom advocates and the National Press Club president said firing an editor who defended newsroom independence could weaken independent reporting for U.S. military personnel.
Pentagon Oversight
William Urban said the newspaper’s mission would continue and emphasized improving digital journalism and reaching younger service members; the articles do not establish that the USS Abraham Lincoln report caused the dismissals.
- Affected publication
- Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper partly funded by the Defense Department.
- Dismissed employees
- Editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte.
- Pentagon’s stated rationale
- Insubordination.
- Appeal period
- Slavin and Lederer reportedly received notices allowing five days to appeal.
- New military deputy
- Navy Capt. William Urban was appointed military deputy to the publisher.
- Lederer’s tenure
- He had worked at Stars and Stripes for three decades and had been publisher since 2007.
- Earlier personnel action
- The Pentagon fired newspaper ombudsman Jacqueline Smith in April.
- Recent coverage
- Stars and Stripes reported concerns about conditions affecting the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Sources
Pentagon Fires US Military Newspaper Editor-In-Chief, Two Others Over Censorship Warning
Pentagon Fires US Military Newspaper Leadership
Pentagon sacks editor, publisher of independent military news outlet over USS Abraham Lincoln story
