Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes Ombudsman Over Editorial Independence
The Pentagon terminated Jacqueline Smith, the ombudsman for Stars and Stripes, the military’s independent newspaper, after she repeatedly flagged efforts to control the publication’s editorial independence. Smith had served in the role since December 2023 and was explicitly tasked by Congress with protecting the paper’s autonomy from Pentagon interference. Her firing, effective April 28, came without explanation and was declared non-grievable.
Smith detailed the abuse of power in an op-ed, stating she had warned the House and Senate Armed Services committees about “attempted control of the newspaper by the Pentagon” in recent months. She characterized her dismissal as occurring “in the coldest way possible,” suggesting deliberate suppression of her oversight role. On the same day as her termination announcement, the Pentagon rescinded the regulatory process that would have provided Stars and Stripes legal protection from interference, according to Smith’s account.
The firing aligns with broader institutional changes at the publication. In January, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced plans to overhaul Stars and Stripes, stating the paper would shift away from “woke distractions that syphon morale” and focus on a “new generation of service members.” Smith noted that Parnell’s social media post signaled serious intent, as the administration routinely reveals policy through such channels.
Stars and Stripes receives partial Defense Department funding but operates as an independent outlet with its own editorial authority. Smith’s removal eliminates the primary institutional check on Pentagon influence over the publication’s newsroom. She urged readers and officials to protect the newspaper from what she characterized as control by “Pentagon brass,” emphasizing the publication’s historical commitment to both military audiences and journalistic standards.