Pentagon Terminates Stars and Stripes Publisher, Editor and Reporter Over Alleged Insubordination

The Department of Defense terminated three senior staff members from Stars and Stripes on Friday, citing insubordination in connection with unauthorized media appearances. Publisher Max Lederer, Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin and Middle East correspondent Lara Korte received formal dismissal notices, according to Fox News Digital. The action marks an escalation in tensions between Pentagon leadership and the military publication’s editorial staff.

The terminations stem from an unauthorized segment on CBS Sunday Morning that aired last month examining the Pentagon’s restructuring efforts at the newspaper. Slavin and Korte participated without approval, while Lederer declined Pentagon orders to fire the two staffers involved. A source confirmed the chain of events to Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity.

Slavin, who became editor-in-chief in September 2025, issued a statement defending his position. He stated the firing notice cited his public comments about editorial independence as grounds for dismissal. “I stand by the principle that Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent, as required by law and by the department’s own policies,” Slavin said, emphasizing his opposition to what he characterized as censorship.

Korte, hired in 2024, posted on social media that she was terminated for stating her employment belonged to Stars and Stripes rather than the Pentagon or any administration. She expressed pride in covering the protracted conflict in Iran and stressed the importance of military families’ access to independent journalism. Korte noted the dismissal represented a setback for the institution and service members sworn to defend constitutional principles.

Lederer, an Army veteran with 34 years at the publication and 19 years as publisher, had previously announced retirement intentions citing fundamental disagreements with Pentagon direction. His termination occurred before the announced September departure date. The staffers received five days to file appeals against their dismissals.

Pentagon leadership framed the changes as part of a broader modernization initiative. Military Deputy to the Publisher Captain William Urban stated the organization would maintain professional journalism standards while refocusing content on warfighting and service member priorities. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell referenced the modernization effort in January when the Pentagon announced plans to eliminate what officials called “woke distractions” from coverage.

The Pentagon also removed the Stars and Stripes ombudsman in April following criticism of Trump administration oversight of the publication. Neither Lederer nor Korte responded to requests for additional comment beyond their public statements.