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Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview

Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview

The editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes says the Pentagon has fired him as well as its publisher and a reporter

Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor after censorship comments

Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor after censorship comments

The Pentagon also fired the military newspaper's publisher and Middle East reporter, news outlets reported.

Longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes to retire, citing differences with Pentagon leadership

Longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes to retire, citing differences with Pentagon leadership

Longtime Stars and Stripes publisher Max D

Stars and Stripes Publisher Resigns Amid Editorial Control Disputes with Trump Administration

Stars and Stripes Publisher Resigns Amid Editorial Control Disputes with Trump Administration

Max D. Lederer Jr., the longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes, a newspaper focused on the U.S. military, has resigned. His resignation comes amidst fundamental disagreements with the Department of Defense's leadership regarding the publication's editorial independence. According to a memo from Lederer and an interview with Stars and Stripes, his philosophy of leadership and understanding of the newspaper's mission diverged significantly from the direction the Department of Defense (DoD) leadership, under President Trump's administration, intended for the organization. This follows accusations from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that the publication was promoting 'woke distractions.' The Trump administration's second-term DoD had previously announced intentions to align the paper more closely with government priorities, a move framed by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell as 'returning Stars and Stripes to its original mission: reporting for our warfighters.' The Pentagon also fired Jacqueline Smith, th...

Stars and Stripes Publisher Resigns Amid Editorial Control Disputes with Defense Department

Stars and Stripes Publisher Resigns Amid Editorial Control Disputes with Defense Department

Max D Lederer Jr., the longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes, a newspaper focused on the US military, has resigned due to fundamental disagreements with the leadership of the Defense Department regarding editorial control. In a memo to staff and an interview with the publication, Lederer indicated that his philosophy of leadership and understanding of the newspaper's mission diverged significantly from the direction sought by the Defense Department. This resignation follows accusations from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that the publication was promoting 'woke distractions' and criticism from the Trump administration for reporting on poor conditions and declining morale aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier during the war with Iran. The Pentagon, under President Trump's second term, has expressed intentions to align the paper more closely with government priorities, framing it as 'returning Stars and Stripes to its original mission: reporting for our warfighters.'

Stars and Stripes Publisher Retires Citing Differences with Pentagon Leadership Over Editorial Control

Stars and Stripes Publisher Retires Citing Differences with Pentagon Leadership Over Editorial Control

Max D. Lederer Jr., the longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of September. Lederer cited fundamental differences with the Pentagon leadership regarding the direction and mission of the military newspaper. His retirement follows increased efforts by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Pentagon to exert editorial control over the publication and to eliminate what it terms 'woke distractions.' This move comes less than four months after the Pentagon fired Jacqueline Smith, the newspaper's ombudsman, whose role was to safeguard its editorial independence. The Pentagon had previously announced an overhaul of the newspaper to align its content with current messaging, focusing on 'warfighting, weapons systems, fitness, lethality, survivability and ALL THINGS MILITARY,' and moving away from 'repurposed DC gossip columns' and 'Associated Press reprints.' Lederer expressed concerns that the Pentagon's modernization efforts, particularly transitioning print products...

Trump’s strange obsession with steam-powered catapults

Trump’s strange obsession with steam-powered catapults

A weird week for the US military, briefly explained.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Faces Calls for Firing After Using Transphobic Slur

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Faces Calls for Firing After Using Transphobic Slur

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has drawn widespread criticism and calls for his immediate firing after using a transphobic slur during a speech at the Operation Top Nunn: Salute to the Troops military fundraiser at the Iowa State Fair on Monday, August 17. Speaking in support of Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn’s reelection campaign, Hegseth stated, “At the Department of War, we do training, not tr***ies,” while discussing anti-DEI policies at the U.S. Department of Defense. He emphasized a focus on “training, lethality, accountability, discipline, readiness” as the bedrock of American military service, advocating for a “colorblind, gender-neutral, merit-based” approach. This incident is not the first time Hegseth has faced controversy for his public remarks; in April, he reportedly confused a quote from 'Pulp Fiction' with a Bible verse during a Pentagon prayer service. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock of Georgia have both publicly condemned Hegseth's comments, with Senator Warno...

Former Pentagon Spokesperson Criticizes Jennifer Hegseth's Expansive Role in Defense Department

Former Pentagon Spokesperson Criticizes Jennifer Hegseth's Expansive Role in Defense Department

Jennifer Hegseth, wife of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has drawn criticism for her expansive and unusual role within the Pentagon. Former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot described her involvement as "bonkers," stating that a defense secretary should not involve his wife in sensitive official duties. Concerns first arose when The Wall Street Journal reported that Jennifer Hegseth attended two meetings with foreign military counterparts where sensitive information was discussed. Subsequently, it was revealed that Secretary Hegseth used his personal phone to send specific details about an imminent U.S. military strike to a group chat that included his wife. The Washington Post also reported that she had taken over media engagement responsibilities from Defense Department professionals. More recently, President Trump announced that Jennifer Hegseth, a former Fox News employee like her husband, would lead a new commission focused on improving the lives of military spouses and families. Despite the criticis...

The Latest: Over 750 US troops have been wounded since the Iran war began, Pentagon says

The Latest: Over 750 US troops have been wounded since the Iran war began, Pentagon says

Pentagon data shows more than 750 U.S. troops have been wounded during operations against Iran

Stars and Stripes Publisher Max D. Lederer Jr. Announces Sept. 30 Retirement Amid Pentagon Overhaul

Stars and Stripes Publisher Max D. Lederer Jr. Announces Sept. 30 Retirement Amid Pentagon Overhaul

Max D. Lederer Jr., the long-serving publisher of Stars and Stripes, has announced his retirement, concluding a three-decade career with the news organization. Lederer cited fundamental differences in philosophy and understanding of the publication's value and mission compared to the Pentagon's plans for increased oversight and modernization. He expressed particular opposition to the Pentagon's push to transition all print products to a digital-only format, arguing it would limit accessibility for troops. Lederer also felt out of sync with the pace and direction of technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, as set by the Pentagon. His retirement follows the Defense Department's firing of the publication's ombudsman in April, a role designed to safeguard editorial independence. The Pentagon's overhaul efforts include a shift away from print, a focus on content consistent with "good order and discipline," and a reduction in news wire services and syndicated features, with Pentagon chief s...

Stars and Stripes Publisher Max D. Lederer Jr. Announces Retirement Amid Pentagon Oversight Changes

Stars and Stripes Publisher Max D. Lederer Jr. Announces Retirement Amid Pentagon Oversight Changes

Max D. Lederer Jr., the long-serving publisher of Stars and Stripes, has announced his retirement, effective September 30. This decision concludes his three-decade career with the news organization and comes amidst significant changes initiated by the Pentagon regarding its operations and content. Lederer, who became the second full-time civilian publisher in 2007, stated that his leadership philosophy and understanding of Stars and Stripes' mission fundamentally differed from the Defense Department's new plans. He expressed particular opposition to the Pentagon's push for a complete transition from print to digital formats, arguing it would limit accessibility for troops. Lederer also noted a disagreement on the pace and direction of technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, as set by the Pentagon. His resignation follows the Defense Department's firing of the publication's ombudsman in April, a role established by Congress to protect the newspaper's editorial independence. The Pentag...