Pentagon Seizes Military Newspaper

A collection of rolled newspapers displaying various headlines and designs

The Pentagon just seized editorial control of Stars and Stripes, America’s independent military newspaper, vowing to strip out “woke distractions” and refocus on warfighting—what does this mean for troops’ access to truthful news?

Story Snapshot

Pentagon announced on January 15, 2026, it will oversee Stars and Stripes content, ending its long-standing independence.
Sean Parnell, top aide to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, promises focus on military essentials like weapons, fitness, and lethality.
Critics, including Democratic senators and PEN America, decry it as a First Amendment assault on press freedom.
Publication traces to Civil War, gained congressional independence in 1990s after past interference attempts.
Troops rely on Stars and Stripes for credible, unbiased reporting amid overseas deployments.

Pentagon Announces Editorial Takeover

Sean Parnell, Pentagon public affairs chief and adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, issued the January 15, 2026, statement via social media. Pentagon leaders declared they would refocus Stars and Stripes on warfighting, weapons systems, fitness, lethality, and survivability. Officials targeted “woke distractions,” DC gossip columns, and Associated Press reprints for elimination. This shift customizes content for warfighters, they claimed.

Stars and Stripes, born in the Civil War era, became the key news source for U.S. troops overseas during World War II. Congress mandated its editorial independence in the 1990s via Department of Defense Directive 5122.11. That rule ensures a free flow of news without censorship or management. The paper receives half its funding from taxpayers, half from ads and subscriptions.

Historical Protections Face Direct Challenge

Department of Defense Directive 5122.11 governs Stars and Stripes uniquely among Pentagon media, upholding First Amendment principles. Congress created an ombudsman 30 years ago to safeguard this autonomy after military leaders meddled in content. The publication emulates commercial U.S. news standards, editorially independent from its own chain of command. Troops abroad depend on it for reliable information.

Pentagon officials frame the change as modernization, returning to the paper’s original military mission. This echoes a 2020 attempt under Defense Secretary Mark Esper to defund and shut it down. President Trump reversed that after bipartisan congressional pushback, calling Stars and Stripes a wonderful source for the military.

Stakeholders Clash Over Independence

Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin told staff troops earn First Amendment protections through their service. He vowed accurate, balanced coverage and accountability for military officials. Slavin stressed independence builds troop trust. New hiring asks applicants how they support President Trump’s policies, per Washington Post reports, sparking loyalty test fears.

Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Mark Kelly, Richard Blumenthal, and Tammy Duckworth labeled it a First Amendment attack. PEN America warned troops deserve credible news, not a political mouthpiece. The congressional ombudsman affirmed independence underpins credibility. Military veterans in Senate noted troops trusted it in Iraq precisely for that reason.

Implications for Troops and Press Freedom

Short-term, editorial staff face alignment pressures, risking retention and hiring. Reader trust could erode if perceived as Pentagon propaganda. Long-term, success sets precedent for controlling other outlets, impacting morale and information access for service members. This aligns with administration moves restricting journalists, like new Pentagon rules prompting legacy outlet withdrawals.

Conservative values prioritize strong defense and common sense: troops need warfighting focus over distractions, and facts support refocusing taxpayer-funded media on mission essentials. Critics’ First Amendment cries overlook congressional funding ties and past interference fixes. Troops deserve news sharpening their edge, not diluting it.