The U.S. Department of Defense has issued separation notices to the top two leaders of Stars and Stripes, a news organization serving the U.S. military. The notices were delivered Friday to publisher Max Lederer and editor in chief Erik Slavin, providing them with five days to appeal their dismissals, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The personnel action follows a period of public disagreement between the outlet's leadership and the Pentagon. Lederer, who has served as publisher for 19 years, had previously announced earlier in the week that he intended to retire on Sept. 30. Slavin has also publicly addressed disagreements with Pentagon officials regarding the organization's direction.
A source familiar with the matter stated the cited cause for the dismissals was insubordination. In a note sent to staff before the notices were issued, Lederer wrote that his understanding of the mission of Stars and Stripes differed "in fundamental ways" from the direction of Department of Defense leadership. A Defense Department spokesman declined to comment on the matter Friday afternoon.
Recent reporting by Stars and Stripes and the Military Times regarding mental health concerns aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln drew denials from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, and President Trump. Additionally, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell has spoken about refocused content for the outlet, stating a goal of moving away from what he described as "woke distractions" to serve a new generation of service members.
The dismissal of the publisher and editor in chief marks a shift in the editorial oversight of a decades-old institution that has historically operated with editorial independence. The change occurs as Pentagon officials seek to modernize the outlet and alter its content focus. The immediate impact for the staff and readers involves the abrupt removal of a 19-year veteran publisher just weeks before his planned retirement, potentially altering the planned transition period for the organization's daily operations.
The move establishes a precedent for direct Pentagon intervention in the leadership of the outlet following public disputes over reporting and organizational philosophy. The next steps involve the five-day appeal window for Lederer and Slavin. If the dismissals stand, the Pentagon will be responsible for appointing new leadership to oversee the publication's $29 million budget and its editorial direction moving forward.