Stars and Stripes journalists sue US Defense Dept over firings
Three Stars and Stripes journalists have filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense, claiming their firings violated their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit, obtained by AFP, names the publication's editor-in-chief, publisher, and a reporter as plaintiffs. The trio allege they were dismissed for a story about deteriorating conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln, which triggered criticism of President Trump's stance on Iran.
The Pentagon reportedly ordered the publisher to terminate the editor and reporter, citing "insubordination" for earlier comments about the military's editorial autonomy. The lawsuit asserts the dismissals were illegal and demands the journalists' reinstatement. The Defense Department, led by Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been vocal about its criticism of the media and has sought to influence Stars and Stripes' reporting.
The department has previously expressed intentions to steer the publication's coverage away from what it deems as "woke distractions."
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