Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was given notice by Senate Democrats Thursday that they intend to launch a probe over his alleged misuse of active-duty personnel.
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The Democrats claim Hegseth installed loyalist inside Stars and Stripes, an independent news source that dates back to the Civil War, correspondent Scott McFarlane was among the first to report.
“The placement of an active-duty Public Affairs officer in the senior leadership of an organization whose credibility depends on its independence from the military chain of command raises serious questions,” the Senators wrote.
The warning arrived the same day The Washington Post reported that Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer had announced plans to retire after 19 years as the publisher.
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In an email to staff obtained by The Washington Post, Lederer blamed the Defense department.
“It has become clear that my philosophy of leadership, and my understanding of the value and mission of Stars and Stripes, differ in fundamental ways from the direction the leadership of the Department of Defense has for the organization,” Lederer wrote.
The Senator’s letter requested that Hegseth provide, no later than Aug. 28, a “detailed explanation of the assignment, who directed it, the officer’s duties, authorities and reporting chain,” and whether the officer’s position is temporary.
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