A federal judge on Friday ruled that the Pentagon can fire three Stars and Stripes journalists, the latest in a series of blows to press freedoms in the military as the agency has sought to undo the newspaper’s editorial independence.
US District Judge Trevor McFadden denied temporary restraining order requests from Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, allowing the Pentagon to move forward with their firings. Friday’s written ruling claims the government likely did not violate the journalists’ First Amendment rights.
“Plaintiffs ultimately fail to carry their significant burden to show that they are clearly entitled to a preliminary injunction,” McFadden wrote.
McFadden’s denial of the temporary restraining orders is a setback for Slavin, Lederer and Korte, who sought to be reinstated to their positions. An attorney for the trio said they were “disappointed” with the ruling.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment. It’s unclear whether the agency has fired the trio since McFadden’s ruling.
