<p>Three former staff members of Stars and Stripes have filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon following their termination, alleging retaliation and violations of their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit claims they are facing "imminent retaliation and termination in violation of their First Amendment and statutory rights."</p><p>The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., includes former editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte. It states that the defendants are attempting to dismiss the plaintiffs for advocating for press freedom and for reporting on deteriorating conditions aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.</p><p>The firings were reportedly linked to Slavin and Korte's participation in a CBS segment discussing the Pentagon's plans for the newspaper, and Lederer's refusal to terminate them as directed by Pentagon officials. The lawsuit alleges that Pentagon leadership initially did not take action against the staffers after the segment aired but changed their stance after the publication of the report on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.</p><p>According to the lawsuit, the Pentagon demanded that Lederer fire Slavin and Korte one day after the report's publication. The defendants listed in the lawsuit include the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, and principal deputy assistant Andrew Brey.</p><p>In a statement, the plaintiffs expressed their goal to protect the rights of service members and their families to a free press, emphasizing the importance of Stars and Stripes in keeping military communities informed. They stated, "This lawsuit is about safeguarding that mission and ensuring our civilian and military journalists can do their jobs without retaliation."</p><p>A Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit. The Pentagon announced plans to overhaul Stars and Stripes in January 2026, aiming to refocus its content and operations to better serve military personnel.</p>
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Former Stars and Stripes Employees Sue Pentagon Over Termination and First Amendment Claims
Three former employees of Stars and Stripes have filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon, claiming their terminations were retaliatory and violated their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit highlights issues related to press freedom and the publication of a report on conditions aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. The Pentagon has not commented on the lawsuit but has previously announced plans to overhaul the newspaper.
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Fired Stars and Stripes staffers sue Pentagon, allege retaliation and First Amendment violation
Former Stars and Stripes Employees Sue Pentagon Over Termination and First Amendment Claims