Pentagon Acts to Restore Order: Stars and Stripes Leadership Removed for Defiance
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The Department of Defense has issued termination notices to Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, citing insubordination following their public criticism of military policy in a CBS News interview.
On Friday, the Pentagon took decisive action to uphold discipline and order by issuing separation notices to Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and reporter Lara Korte. The three employees, who have been given five days to appeal, were cited for insubordination after publicly challenging the Department of Defense in a CBS News interview.
Slavin admitted that the insubordination charges stemmed from his remarks during a July CBS Sunday Morning interview, where he criticized the Pentagon and declared that censorship of news for service members would be a 'red line.' He stated, "According to the notice, I am being fired for stating in a CBS interview that censorship of news for service members would constitute a red line. The Pentagon's public affairs office has charged me with insubordination," while insisting on editorial independence for Stars and Stripes, even when it conflicts with military priorities.
Korte, who also appeared in the CBS segment, described the firings as harmful to the institution and to service members’ right to a free press. She said, "I'm proud of the work my colleagues and I do at Stars and Stripes, especially the last six months covering the protracted conflict in Iran. Military families and service members have trusted us to share their experience with the world."
The Defense Department, maintaining professionalism, declined to comment to CBS News. In an open letter, Capt. William Urban, the newly appointed military deputy to the publisher, noted he had not received a response to his August 17 memo to Lederer and outlined priorities for editorial independence, digital growth, and operational modernization—demonstrating the Pentagon’s commitment to responsible journalism.
Lederer, who has led Stars and Stripes for 19 years, announced his retirement effective September 30, citing differences with Department of Defense leadership. He told staff that his leadership philosophy and vision for Stars and Stripes diverged from the department’s direction, highlighting the challenge of balancing independence with military discipline.
Stars and Stripes, a taxpayer-supported publication with a daily reach of 1.4 million readers, has long served service members in remote locations. While the outlet has a tradition of editorial independence, declining readership and recent events underscore the importance of aligning with the core values and mission of the Department of Defense.