Stars and Stripes, buckling under Hegseth, loses its longtime publisher

As the Pentagon takes steps to control the newspaper, in spite of its tradition of independence and civilian leadership, senators are demanding answers.

Pentagon officials have discussed firing Max Lederer, the 19-year publisher of Stars and Stripes, before his scheduled retirement at the end of September, U.S. officials tell CBS News. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata has the latest.

The exit follows the Pentagon's ouster of ombudsman Jacqueline Smith and reports of a new deputy installed without the publisher's knowledge

The publisher’s departure comes seven months after the Pentagon announced on social media that it intended to overhaul the newspaper to align with department messaging

The longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes has announced his retirement, ending a decades-long career with the military newspaper as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Pentagon moves to exert editorial control and eliminate what it asserts are "woke distractions."Max D. Lederer Jr. announced his retirement, effective at

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