Iran War Suicide Reports Trigger Pentagon Clash, US Military Newspaper Chief Resigns

Max De Lederer Jr., longtime publisher of the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes, has resigned over differences with the Department of Defense about the newspaper’s editorial independence and direction. According to Al Jazeera, Lederer announced his retirement in an internal notice on Tuesday. He said his vision for the newspaper’s mission was fundamentally at odds with the Pentagon’s current direction. The dispute comes as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks greater control over the newspaper’s editorial policies. Founded in 1861, Stars and Stripes has traditionally operated independently from the government despite receiving public funding.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused the newspaper of being a “wicked distraction.” The administration has also criticized reports about low morale and the conditions facing US troops. The newspaper came under increased scrutiny after reporting on a suicide attempt and declining morale among the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is involved in the ongoing war with Iran. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said restrictions were intended to return the newspaper to its “core mission” of serving troops in combat.

Earlier, the Trump administration removed Jacqueline Smith, the ombudsman responsible for protecting the newspaper’s editorial independence. Smith criticized the decision, warning that it could increase the risk of political interference. Lederer’s resignation has renewed concerns over the editorial independence of a government-funded military newspaper under Pentagon oversight.