Max D Lederer Jr announced his retirement as publisher of Stars and Stripes in a memo to staff on Tuesday, citing fundamental differences with the Department of Defense’s leadership regarding the organization’s direction and mission. In his memo, Lederer indicated that his leadership philosophy and understanding of the publication’s value diverged significantly from the Pentagon’s stated goals.
The resignation follows mounting tensions between the Trump administration and the military newspaper. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had previously criticized the outlet for promoting what he characterized as “woke distractions.” The administration also objected to the publication’s reporting on poor conditions and low morale aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier involved in military operations near Iran.
Stars and Stripes, founded in 1861, has long sought to maintain editorial independence despite receiving substantial government funding. In January, the Pentagon announced plans to bring the newspaper into closer alignment with government priorities, framing the effort as returning the publication to its original mission. The Defense Department also terminated Jacqueline Smith, the newspaper’s ombudsman whose role was to protect editorial independence from political interference. Smith responded publicly, stating that her removal should not surprise observers given the administration’s broader efforts to restrict the publication’s autonomy.
The tensions reflect wider restrictions on press access at the Pentagon under Hegseth’s tenure. In June, journalists were barred from the Defense Department’s press office following its designation as a classified area. A judge subsequently paused a separate policy requiring journalists to have escorts while accessing Pentagon facilities. Additionally, Hegseth has pursued crackdowns on diversity-related initiatives, characterizing them as “woke” obstacles to military effectiveness.
The conflicts have occurred as the military remains engaged in operations near Iran, which have generated concerns about troop morale and resource strain. Stars and Stripes was among publications reporting on these issues aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which set records for deployment length without port access.
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