The longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes, a newspaper serving the US military community, has resigned amid disagreements with the Trump administration and the US Department of Defense over the publication’s editorial independence.
Max D. Lederer Jr., who had led the newspaper for many years, announced his retirement in a memo to staff. He said his vision for the newspaper differed fundamentally from the direction being pursued by Defense Department leadership.
The resignation comes as the Trump administration seeks greater influence over Stars and Stripes, arguing that the newspaper should focus more closely on its original mission of reporting for US service members.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has previously criticised the publication, accusing it of promoting what he described as “woke distractions.” The administration has also objected to reports highlighting declining morale and difficult conditions among US sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been involved in the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Founded in 1861, Stars and Stripes has maintained a reputation for editorial independence despite receiving substantial government funding.
Earlier this year, the Pentagon dismissed the newspaper’s ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith, whose role included protecting its editorial independence from political interference. The decision triggered criticism from press-freedom advocates.
The dispute is part of a broader confrontation between the Pentagon and journalists under the Trump administration. The Defense Department has introduced restrictions on journalists’ access to the Pentagon, several of which have faced legal challenges.
Critics warn that increasing government control over Stars and Stripes could undermine independent reporting for US military personnel, particularly during the ongoing Iran conflict.
The resignation of Lederer therefore marks another significant development in the continuing battle over press freedom and editorial independence within the US military establishment.
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