Senate Dems press Hegseth for answers on Stars and Stripes independence

A trio of Senate Democrats is expressing concern over the Pentagon’s involvement in the operations of Stars and Stripes, defending the publication’s independence in a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday.

Their inquiry follows an announcement this week that the military newspaper’s longtime publisher, Max Lederer, will be retiring after the Pentagon appointed an active-duty Navy captain to a top role at the paper without consulting him.

Lederer said his decision to step down stemmed from “fundamental” differences between his and the department’s visions for the paper. The publisher will depart his role at the end of next month.

The senators wrote in their Thursday letter that the appointment of William Urban, an active-duty Navy captain and public affairs officer, as Lederer’s deputy “raises serious questions” about the paper’s independence.

“Mr. Lederer’s abrupt departure only heightens those concerns, particularly as the Department determines who will assume leadership of Stars and Stripes,” they said.

The letter was signed by Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), who all sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The lawmakers requested that the Defense secretary provide them with a “detailed explanation” of Urban’s appointment by Aug. 28.

The Hill has reached out to the Pentagon for comment.

“Please also explain what safeguards the Department has put in place to ensure that this officer, or any other Department official, cannot direct, influence, review, or interfere with Stars and Stripes’ editorial decisions or coverage,” they added.

This is the latest development in the Pentagon’s efforts to reshape the military newspaper’s coverage. In a March memo , the Defense Department outlined new guidelines for Stars and Stripes, including a requirement that its content be “consistent with good order and discipline of the military.”

Additionally, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in January that the Pentagon would “refocus” the outlet away from “woke distractions that siphon morale.”

Lederer told Stars and Stripes following his resignation announcement that he was not aligned with “the pace and the direction” of the department’s goals for the outlet.

“I think the right step is for me to step down, get out of the way, and let different leadership step in and continue to make this the great organization that it is, even better,” he said.