Stars and Stripes Fires Editor, Retires Publisher Amid Pentagon Overhaul

The Pentagon has fired Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin and publisher Max Lederer, citing insubordination and disagreements over the paper’s independence amid a broader modernization push. Lederer will retire at the end of September, a move he says reflects strategic differences with Defense Department leadership, including the controversial appointment of an active-duty Navy captain as deputy publisher. Reporting on conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and sailors’ mental health has intensified tensions and critics warn the Pentagon’s influence could politicize the newspaper. The dismissal follows years of clashes over government involvement and the paper's obligation to editorial independence, with lawmakers and veterans groups voicing concern. The developments raise questions about governance, funding, and the Stripes’ ability to serve service members with unfettered reporting. The situation continues to unfold as the paper transitions and seeks a path forward.