Judge lets Pentagon move forward with firing Stars and Stripes journalists

September 4, 2026 / 5:54 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google A federal judge on Friday allowed the Pentagon to move forward with terminating three employees of the Stars and Stripes military newspaper. In a 24-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden turned down a request by the newspaper's publisher, editor-in-chief and Middle East reporter to halt their firings while a lawsuit challenging the terminations works its way through the court system. McFadden found the government likely did not violate their First Amendment rights by firing them last month.This is a developing story; it will be updated. In: Stars and Stripes Pentagon Lawyer for Stars and Stripes journalists suing Hegseth on what may have led to their firings 04:57 Lawyer for Stars and Stripes journalists suing Hegseth on what may have led to their firings (04:57)