US Military Publication Leaders Fired Amidst Reporting Disputes with Trump Administration
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Pentagon has dismissed the publisher and editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military’s news publication, following disputes over its reporting with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and senior military commanders. Publisher Max Lederer and Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin received termination notices, with insubordination cited as the reason for their dismissal. They have been given five days to appeal the decision.
Slavin stated to the Associated Press that his dismissal, under the charge of insubordination, stemmed from his remarks to CBS News where he asserted that potential censorship of news for military personnel would be a red line for the publication. He reiterated his commitment to maintaining Stars and Stripes’ editorial independence.
Separately, reporter Lara Korte shared on X that she was also terminated for insubordination after telling CBS News that her work for Stars and Stripes did not mean she was employed by the Pentagon, the government, or any politician. Korte expressed regret that this situation affects an institution and military members sworn to defend the Constitution and who deserve free and independent press rights.
The dismissals of Lederer, Slavin, and Korte occurred days after the publication reported on the conditions of the crew aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, raising concerns among military health experts and veterans. Reports indicated that Pentagon officials had been discussing Lederer’s dismissal prior to his planned retirement in September, following a 19-year tenure as the newspaper’s publisher.
The Stars and Stripes report on the Lincoln, which was returning to San Diego after an extended deployment in West Asia as part of operations against Iran, was published on August 12. The New York Times published a similar report on the same day. President Donald Trump subsequently downplayed concerns about the Lincoln’s conditions, stating the crew’s mission had not been sufficiently long.
Under Trump’s leadership, the Pentagon has engaged in a conflict with media outlets covering its activities, restricting journalists’ access and discouraging them from seeking confidential sources. This environment led some journalists to return their access cards rather than comply with these demands, paving the way for a greater presence of right-wing media within the Pentagon.
