Pentagon hands Stars and Stripes journalists a one-week delay of dismissal

Three Stars and Stripes employees, including Publisher Max Lederer and Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin, have secured a one-week delay on their dismissals from the Pentagon. The journalists are suing the Department of War, alleging their terminations for “insubordination” violate their First Amendment rights. They claim their firings are retaliatory after they spoke out about maintaining the news outlet’s independence from political influence.

• The Pentagon has agreed to a one-week pause on firing three Stars and Stripes employees.
• The delay follows a lawsuit filed by the employees seeking a temporary restraining order.
• Employees claim their firings for “insubordination” violate the First Amendment.
• The firings are reportedly linked to statements made to CBS News about the outlet’s independence.
• A judge granted the delay after a court hearing, giving him time to consider the case.