Editor of US newspaper Stars and Stripes reportedly fired under Trump

The editor-in-chief of the Stars and Stripes, a U.S. military newspaper, and one of its senior reporters were reportedly terminated following their public advocacy for the publication's editorial independence. Erik Slavin, the editor-in-chief, confirmed to the Associated Press that he received a notice of separation alongside the newspaper’s Middle East correspondent, Lara Korte. Additionally, Max Lederer, the paper’s long-time publisher, was informed of his impending departure, despite having previously stated he intended to retire at the end of September. The dismissals occurred amid growing concerns over the influence of the Trump administration on press freedoms within the military sector. Slavin attributed the terminations to the newspaper’s stance on defending its editorial autonomy. The Stars and Stripes receives funding from the Pentagon but operates under principles of journalistic independence, which Slavin emphasized were critical to its function. He cited a recent CBS interview in which he warned that hypothetical censorship of news for service members would represent a clear boundary. The Stars and Stripes has a long-standing legacy in military journalism, dating back to the 19th century and gaining prominence during World War II as the primary news source for deployed troops. However, recent actions by the Trump administration have raised alarms among civil liberties advocates regarding potential restrictions on press freedom. During Trump’s second term, the Pentagon has imposed limitations on journalists' access to certain areas, including its press office. Furthermore, legal actions have been taken against multiple media organizations, including the Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, and The New York Times, due to disputes over coverage. Recent attention on the Stars and Stripes has centered around its reporting on the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier on an extended deployment since November. The newspaper highlighted instances where sailors aboard the vessel expressed suicidal thoughts or attempted to jump overboard. These reports were met with skepticism from the Trump administration, which characterized them as exaggerated and dishonest. Pressures on the Stars and Stripes have been escalating for some time. In January, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declared that the department aimed to return the newspaper to its original purpose: providing news specifically for military personnel. He indicated that the Pentagon would take steps to refocus the publication's content away from what he described as "woke distractions" affecting troop morale. Parnell outlined a vision for the newspaper focused exclusively on military topics such as warfighting, weapons systems, fitness, and survival capabilities, rejecting what he called unnecessary domestic commentary and reprinted articles from other sources. Following these directives, the Stars and Stripes has undergone several changes that have drawn concern from press freedom organizations. In April, the newspaper’s ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith, was let go. Her role had been to uphold ethical standards and ensure the paper's independence. Additionally, Navy Captain William Urban was appointed as the publication’s deputy publisher without prior consultation with Lederer. Lederer’s resignation was accompanied by a memo expressing fundamental disagreements with the direction set by the Department of Defense. He noted that his leadership philosophy diverged significantly from the administration’s approach to managing the publication. Meanwhile, Urban issued a letter to the Stars and Stripes website acknowledging the paper’s historical contributions during World War II in delivering credible, independently edited publications to American forces overseas. The situation continues to unfold with uncertainty surrounding the future of the Stars and Stripes. As the administration seeks to reshape the newspaper’s editorial focus, the implications for press freedom and the integrity of military journalism remain unclear.