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Pentagon Fires Stars & Stripes Ombudsman, Prompting Congressional Pushback

4/25/2026

47 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Pentagon dismissed Stars and Stripes ombudsman Jacqueline Smith, effective April 28, 2026.
Smith told the Armed Services committees she was increasingly worried about Pentagon attempts to control the newspaper.
The firing follows a Jan 15, 2026 modernization directive and a March 9, 2026 order banning commercial news material.
PEN America urged Congress to intervene, saying the dismissal shows a broader pattern limiting press access.

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Story summary

The Pentagon dismissed Stars and Stripes ombudsman Jacqueline Smith, effective April 28, 2026.
Smith told the Armed Services committees she was increasingly worried about Pentagon attempts to control the newspaper.
The firing follows a Jan 15, 2026 modernization directive and a March 9, 2026 order banning commercial news material.
PEN America urged Congress to intervene, saying the dismissal shows a broader pattern limiting press access.