Story perspectives

Judge Lets Pentagon Fire Three Stars & Stripes Journalists

9/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden allowed the Pentagon to fire three Stars & Stripes journalists on Sept. 4.
Publisher Max D. Lederer Jr., Erik Slavin and reporter Lara Korte sued, claiming First Amendment violations.
They said they were dismissed for defending editorial independence after a USS Abraham Lincoln conditions report.
Pentagon said the journalists engaged in insubordination and unauthorized media appearances.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the terminations as workplace conduct issues.

History

Historical Context

In 1971, the Supreme Court ruled in New York Times Co. v. United States that the Pentagon Papers could be published, affirming press freedom. The 6-3 decision, authored by Justice Hugo Black, rejected the Nixon administration’s claim that national-security concerns justified prior restraint, despite $2.5 million in classified copies seized. Today, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden’s order to dismiss Stars & Stripes reporters echoes the 1971 clash, as Pentagon officials again cite insubordination to curb coverage of the USS Abraham Lincoln investigation. The precedent suggests courts may scrutinize executive claims, potentially reinforcing judicial checks that protect journalists against future military-driven terminations.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden allowed the Pentagon to fire three Stars & Stripes journalists on Sept. 4.
Publisher Max D. Lederer Jr., Erik Slavin and reporter Lara Korte sued, claiming First Amendment violations.
They said they were dismissed for defending editorial independence after a USS Abraham Lincoln conditions report.
Pentagon said the journalists engaged in insubordination and unauthorized media appearances.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the terminations as workplace conduct issues.

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