Pentagon fires three Stars and Stripes staffers after critical articles as Frank Kendall's Pentagon leadership comments resurface

The Pentagon has won court approval to proceed with the termination of three Stars and Stripes staffers, marking another development in the ongoing dispute over the military newspaper's editorial independence. The case has also brought renewed attention to former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's criticism of the Pentagon's leadership and what he described as a 'climate of fear' within the department. US District Judge Trevor McFadden on September 4 denied requests from Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte for temporary protection against their dismissals. McFadden ruled that the plaintiffs were unlikely to demonstrate that the government had violated their First Amendment rights. Why the Pentagon moved against the journalists The dispute partly stems from a July 5 CBS News segment in which Slavin and Korte discussed changes to Stars and Stripes and concerns about the newspaper's editorial independence. The journalists had received permission from their superiors before participating in the interview. According to the lawsuit, the Pentagon later directed Lederer to remove Slavin and Korte after the newspaper published reporting about hardships experienced aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Lederer did not carry out the order and later announced his retirement. In his ruling, McFadden said Slavin and Korte appeared to have spoken as part of their official duties rather than as private citizens. He therefore found that they were unlikely to succeed with their First Amendment claims at this stage of the case. The judge also said Lederer's refusal to follow a supervisory directive did not receive First Amendment protection. The ruling allows the Pentagon to move forward with the terminations, but it does not represent a final decision on the journalists' broader lawsuit. Frank Kendall's criticism of Pentagon leadership The court decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Pentagon leadership. Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has criticized Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's approach to managing the department, including what Kendall described as 'culture war initiatives.' Kendall has also spoken about what he characterized as a 'climate of fear' within the Pentagon. He argued that military leaders have a responsibility to provide political leaders with candid professional advice, including when their assessments differ from those of senior civilian officials. His comments have resurfaced as the Stars and Stripes dispute raises broader questions about press freedom and independence within the military. Wider Stars and Stripes dispute This case is part of a broader dispute between the Pentagon and Stars and Stripes over the newspaper's editorial independence. Although the publication is owned and funded by the Defense Department, it has historically operated independently of the military chain of command. The Pentagon has introduced changes to the rules and policies governing Stars and Stripes. In January, the department withdrew the federal regulation underpinning the publication's independence. A March modernization plan subsequently affirmed the newspaper's editorial independence while expanding Pentagon oversight and placing new restrictions on some content and operations. Those changes have prompted several legal challenges from people associated with Stars and Stripes. Former ombudsman Jacqueline Smith and members of the newspaper's advisory board have filed separate lawsuits alleging that Pentagon actions threaten the publication's independence and violate constitutional protections.