Three senior journalists from Stars and Stripes—editor‑in‑chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte—filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday alleging that the Department of Defense illegally fired them for exercising their First Amendment rights.
Allegations of retaliation
The complaint asserts that the Pentagon charged the trio with insubordination after they publicly defended the newspaper’s editorial independence, a principle that has historically set Stars and Stripes apart from other military‑funded publications. The plaintiffs also claim the department retaliated for a story exposing deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln during its Middle‑East deployment.
According to the filing, the defendants—including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, and Public Affairs official Andrew Brey—sought to terminate the journalists for statements made as private citizens on a July 5 segment of CBS Sunday Morning. The lawsuit contends that those statements were protected speech and that the department’s actions violated Defense Department regulations governing personnel actions.
Background on the publication
Stars and Stripes receives partial funding from the Pentagon but operates like a commercial newspaper, maintaining a long‑standing record of independent reporting on military affairs. In January, the Defense Department announced a “modernization” effort that would refocus the outlet’s content away from what officials described as “woke distractions,” and simultaneously moved to repeal regulations that had protected its editorial independence.
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the terminations and permanent relief to reverse the alleged unlawful actions. It also asks the court to declare the repeal of the protective regulations unlawful.
Timeline of events
After the July 5 interview, the Pentagon reportedly considered the journalists’ remarks personal opinions and took no immediate action. However, on August 12, the department directed publisher Max Lederer to present Notices of Separation to Slavin and Korte, citing the statements as insubordination. Lederer announced his retirement effective September 30, but was forced out three days later, before his planned departure date. Slavin and Korte were also terminated shortly thereafter.
In a memo to staff, Lederer wrote that his “philosophy of leadership” and understanding of the newspaper’s mission differed fundamentally from the direction set by Department of Defense leadership.
Previous legal challenges
This filing follows two other First Amendment complaints against the Pentagon this year. In June, Jacqueline Smith, the publication’s ombudsman, sued the department for similar violations after being forced out. Also in June, two advisory board members filed suit alleging illegal censorship tied to the department’s modernization push.
The Pentagon has not responded to a request for comment.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
