Max Lederer

Max D. Lederer Jr. is an American lawyer who was publisher of Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper, until 2026.

Career

Lederer became Stars and Stripes' publisher in 2007. He was the second full-time civilian to hold the position of publisher.

Retirement and firing

On August 18, 2026, Lederer announced his retirement as publisher of Stars and Stripes on September 30, 2026, citing disagreements with the leadership of the US Department of Defense. In a memo to staff, Lederer wrote that it has "become clear that my philosophy of leadership, and my understanding of the value and mission of Stars and Stripes, differ in fundamental ways from the direction the leadership of the Department of Defense has for the organization".

On August 21, 2026, CBS News reported Lederer, Stars and Stripes' editor, Erik Slavin, and Middle East correspondent Lara Korte had been terminated for insubordination.

References

  1. ↑ "Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor in chief, publisher, reporter". Aug 21, 2026. Retrieved Aug 25, 2026.
  2. ↑ Kim, Minho (2026-08-21). "Pentagon Fires Editor and Publisher of Independent Military Publication". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-22.
  3. 1 2 https://thehill.com/policy/defense/6038882-pentagon-stars-stripes-editorial-shift/
  4. ↑ Shkolnikova, Svetlana (2026-08-18). "Stars and Stripes publisher announces retirement". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2026-08-22.
  5. ↑ "Pentagon officials considering firing longtime Stars and Stripes publisher, sources say - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2026-08-20. Retrieved 2026-08-22.
  6. ↑ Staff, Al Jazeera. "Publisher of US military newspaper resigns over differences with government". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-08-22.
  7. ↑ Scott, Liam; Nover, Scott (2026-08-20). "Stars and Stripes publisher announces departure with a parting shot at Pentagon". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-08-22.
  8. ↑ Helmore, Edward; Mackey, Robert (2026-08-21). "Pentagon fires publisher and editor of US military news outlet Stars and Stripes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-22.
  9. ↑ Nover, Scott; Scott, Liam (2026-08-21). "Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes leaders who criticized DOD's interference". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-08-22.