Erik Slavin, the 21‑year‑old editor‑in‑chief of Stars and Stripes, was dismissed by the U.S. Department of Defense a day after a CBS interview in which he warned that a "censorship red line" could be crossed.
In a BBC interview, Slavin said the Pentagon had become increasingly reluctant to hold press briefings, remarking, "This is a time when we really need to hear what's happening." He claimed his firing stemmed from saying this in a "hypothetical situation" that could trigger censorship.
The Pentagon has denied comment, but the sacklings coincided with heightened tensions between the Trump administration and U.S. media. Stars and Stripes, which is partially funded by the Pentagon, has historically been editorially independent under congressional mandate and DoD rules.
Journalist Lara Korte, a Middle East reporter for the paper, also reported being fired. According to CBS News, both Slavin’s and Korte’s dismissals were linked to a CBS Sunday Morning interview that aired last month. Max Lederer, the paper’s publisher, was removed after announcing his retirement and cited a fundamental difference in vision with Pentagon plans.
Slavin has not received an official explanation for his termination and is considering a response, though he is barred from appealing. He noted that the paper’s coverage of life aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln—including a record‑setting 240‑day deployment—may have contributed to the friction.
The vessel has seen prolonged deployment amid tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Sailors on board have voiced mental‑health concerns, with some attempting to jump overboard, raising questions about the warship’s operational pressures.
The incident underscores a broader issue: the Pentagon’s recent suspension of press conferences and curbs on journalists’ access. In October 2025, leading U.S. news outlets rejected a new policy that would restrict coverage to DoD‑approved information, citing interference with independent reporting.
A judge has mandated the restoration of the Associated Press’s access to presidential events after disputes over terminology. The White House has also recently taken control of the press pool covering presidential events, further tightening media oversight.
Stars and Stripes continues to reach an estimated 1.4 million readers daily, largely online, and prints copies worldwide for military personnel where internet connectivity is limited.
Mark Schoeff Jr., president of the National Press Club, labeled Slavin’s firing a "brazen attempt by the Pentagon to dictate coverage of the military" and called for the decision to be reversed.
