Pentagon sued by former Stars and Stripes staffers over firings
An aerial view of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 15, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Wright)
Three former staffers of the military-focused news outlet Stars and Stripes are suing the Pentagon, alleging their firings violated their First Amendment rights.
The three employees; publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, filed the lawsuit Thursday, naming the Department of Defense, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Pentagon officials as defendants.
What we know:
Slavin alleges he was targeted after speaking with CBS News about concerns over potential military censorship and the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes. Slavin and Korte also contributed to a report detailing deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The lawsuit alleges the Pentagon moved against them in retaliation for that reporting.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue they were targeted for expressing personal views on matters of public concern and allege the Pentagon retaliated against Stars and Stripes for reporting critically on the Defense Department.
What we know:
According to the suit, Pentagon officials ordered separation notices for Slavin and Korte after the report; Lederer later refused to deliver them and announced his retirement.
Lederer was let go just weeks before his retirement date at the end of September. According to Lederer, the Pentagon installed a new deputy publisher and an active duty service member without his knowledge. He was terminated shortly afterward.
Lederer had been with Stars and Stripes for three decades and a publisher since 2007.
Big picture view:
The three are asking a federal judge to block their terminations, declare the Pentagon’s actions unconstitutional and unlawful, strike down the newer rules governing Stars and Stripes, and order reinstatement with back pay if they are fired before the case is resolved.
Stars and Stripes military-based news
Dig deeper:
Stars and Stripes is an editorially independent newspaper that provides news to U.S. military communities, including service members, Defense Department civilians, veterans, contractors and their families. First established during the Civil War and revived during both world wars, the newspaper has historically operated with protections intended to keep its editorial decisions free from military command influence.
The newspaper is partially funded by the Pentagon, who recently announced that they would be planning to overhaul the newspaper to align with their current messaging.
The other side:
Sean Pernell, spokesperson for Secretary Hegseth, said at the time, "We are bringing Stars and Stripes into the 21st century. We will modernize its operations, refocus its content away from woke distractions that syphon morale."
The Source: This story was written with information provided by The Associated Press and a draft of the Complaint filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. This story was reported from Orlando.