Published Aug 20, 2026, 12:20 PM EDT
Max Lederer says his approach "differs in fundamental ways from the direction the leadership of the Department of Defense has for the organization."
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Published Aug 20, 2026, 12:20 PM EDT
The publisher of Stars and Stripes is retiring after more than three decades with the military newspaper, citing fundamental differences with Defense Department leadership over the direction of the outlet. Max Lederer Jr. announced the decision in a memo to staff on Tuesday and in an interview with the publication itself, saying he will step down Sept. 30. The Pentagon and Mr. Lederer did not immediately respond to Military.com's requests for comment. In the memo obtained by the Associated Press and CBS News, Lederer wrote that it had "become clear that my philosophy of leadership, and my understanding of the value and mission of Stars and Stripes, differ in fundamental ways from the direction the leadership of the Department of Defense has for the organization." Lederer has worked for Stars and Stripes since 1992 and served as its publisher since 2007, only the second full-time civilian to hold the role.
