Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes Leaders Amid Pressure Campaign Over Editorial Independence
The Pentagon has fired several top staffers at Stars and Stripes, including publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and reporter Lara Korte. This action follows a period of growing pressure from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office regarding the military publication's editorial independence. Slavin stated his dismissal was linked to an interview where he affirmed that censorship would constitute a 'red line' for the publication, which he viewed as upholding the law and government regulations on Stars and Stripes' independence. The firings occurred despite Lederer's earlier announcement of his planned retirement, indicating a forced departure. The Pentagon declined to comment, referring to a memo from Navy Capt. Bill Urban, who was recently appointed 'military deputy to the publisher' and emphasized the need for 'modernization' while asserting commitment to editorial independence. 
