Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes Ombudsman Who Warned of Attempted Control' Over Military Paper

"The Pentagon fired the ombudsman for Stars and Stripes, the independent military newspaper, after she consistently warned of attempted control over the paper. Jacqueline Smith stated that her dismissal happened in the coldest way possible with no explanation, and that she was told the decision is not grievable."

"Smith expressed her great and growing concern about attempted control of the newspaper by the Pentagon, stating that no one should be surprised that they're kicking out the one person charged by Congress with protecting Stars and Stripes' editorial independence."

"The Pentagon's actions coincide with a broader effort to revamp the paper's content, as chief spokesperson Sean Parnell indicated a shift away from 'woke distractions' to better serve a new generation of service members."

"On the same day as the X post, the Pentagon rescinded the process in the Code of Federal Regulations that would have given Stripes legal protection from interference, raising further concerns about the newspaper's future."

Jacqueline Smith, the ombudsman for Stars and Stripes, was fired by the Pentagon after raising alarms about attempts to control the newspaper. Her dismissal, effective April 28, was abrupt and without explanation. Smith had been in her role since December 2023 and had reported her concerns to Congress. The Pentagon's actions coincide with a broader effort to change the publication's focus. Smith emphasized the importance of protecting the newspaper's editorial independence from military influence.

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