US President Donald Trump speaks during in a 9/11 observance ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Washington, DC on September 11, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
The Pentagon on Friday fired the editor-in-chief and publisher of the Stars and Stripes newspaper, which has covered the US military since the Civil War, leadership at the publication told US media.
The publication’s editor-in-chief Erik Slavin told CBS News he was being fired for “insubordination” following an interview with the network where he spoke about disagreements with the Department of Defense.
The department stated earlier this year it was seeking to steer Stars and Stripes coverage away from “woke distractions.”
Max Lederer, who has served as the publication’s publisher since 2007 and had announced his retirement just three days prior, was also notified he was being terminated, according to CBS.
