FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC, August 27, 2026 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is concerned by the Department of Defense’s dismissal of Stars and Stripes leadership and staff who have defended the publication’s longstanding editorial independence.
For generations, service members and their families have relied on Stars and Stripes for credible, independent reporting while serving far from home and in war zones around the world. Congress and the Department of Defense have repeatedly recognized that independence as essential to the newspaper’s mission. Attempts to place its journalism under greater political or military control—and to remove those who resist such interference—threaten a trusted institution that has served America’s military community for more than 150 years.
“As a former Marine Public Affairs Officer, director of the DoD press office, and acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for media operations, I know firsthand the value of Stars and Stripes as an independent source of military news and information,” said David Lapan, a member of National Security Leaders for America. “These actions are an affront to the First Amendment principles that generations of Americans in uniform have sworn to support and defend. They also run directly counter to DoD’s own commitment to ensure the free flow of information to service members without censorship or propaganda. Dismantling the independence and credibility of Stars and Stripes does not serve our troops—it deprives them of a trusted source of information.”
NSL4A calls on Department of Defense leaders and Congress to protect the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes and ensure that its journalists and oversight officials can perform their duties free from political interference or retaliation.
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About National Security Leaders for America
National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a nonpartisan network of over 1,500 senior national security professionals—retired admirals, generals, senior enlisted leaders, intelligence officers, diplomats, and civilian service officials—from across the political spectrum who are united in defense of American democracy. Founded in 2021, NSL4A is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for democratic values, institutions, and leaders who uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Our members offer expert, real-world insights on the national security implications of election integrity, civil-military relations, and democratic resilience.
Media Contact: CommDirector@nsl4a.org
I am sure Mr. Trump and Mr. Hegseth would not have approved of the "Willie and Joe" characters created by Bill Mauldin.