AI Generated Image
Judge won't block Pentagon from firing Stars and Stripes staffers
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge denied a request to block the Pentagon from firing three Stars and Stripes journalists who allege illegal discipline for advocating editorial independence.
- Judge Trevor McFadden ruled the journalists are unlikely to prove a First Amendment violation, stating their terminations do not threaten the outlet’s editorial independence.
- The fired staff, including editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and reporter Lara Korte, claim retaliation for speaking out against military censorship and reporting on poor conditions aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.
- McFadden concluded the journalists gave interviews as public employees under official duties, not as private citizens, and thus their firings do not violate free speech protections.
- The plaintiffs intend to continue litigation, with their attorneys emphasizing the judge’s ruling was preliminary and expressing confidence in prevailing after further discovery.
