Longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes to retire, citing differences with Pentagon leadership

Max D. Lederer Jr., the longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes, has announced his retirement after a decades-long career with the military newspaper. The decision comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon seeks to exert editorial control and eliminate what it perceives as "woke distractions." Lederer, the second full-time civilian in the position, cited fundamental differences in leadership philosophy and the newspaper's mission as reasons for his retirement, which becomes effective at the end of September.

The move follows the Pentagon's firing of Jacqueline Smith, the newspaper's ombudsman, and the announced overhaul of Stars and Stripes to align with the department's messaging. The newspaper, partly funded by the Defense Department, has a legacy of independence from military and government leadership. The changes mark part of a broader effort by Hegseth to control media coverage of the Defense Department, including efforts to restrict journalists working inside the Pentagon and declare its press office a classified space.