Longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes to retire, citing differences with Pentagon leadership
Summary
Max D. Lederer Jr., the longtime publisher of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes, announced he will retire at the end of September due to differences with Pentagon leadership. The Pentagon, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is seeking to control the newspaper’s direction by focusing coverage strictly on military topics and removing what it calls “woke distractions.”Key Facts
- Max D. Lederer Jr. is retiring as publisher of Stars and Stripes after many years.
- Lederer cited fundamental disagreements with the Department of Defense’s leadership about the newspaper’s mission.
- The Pentagon fired Jacqueline Smith, the newspaper’s ombudsman who protected editorial independence, earlier this year.
- Stars and Stripes receives some funding from the Defense Department but traditionally operates independently.
- The Pentagon wants Stars and Stripes to focus only on military-related content like weapons, fitness, and warfighting.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s team is pushing to eliminate what they call “woke distractions” from the paper.
- Journalists have faced increasing restrictions at the Pentagon, including access badge limitations and escort requirements, which are legally challenged.
- The changes reflect a broader Pentagon effort to control media coverage and messaging about the military.
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