Three journalists and senior officials at the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes have sued the Trump administration, alleging they were dismissed to undermine the publication’s editorial independence. Publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte filed the case against the Defense Department and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The case is due to be heard in a federal court in Washington, DC.

The plaintiffs received dismissal notices on August 21. Their lawsuit alleges that an interview in which Korte and Slavin discussed the importance of independent journalism at Stars and Stripes on CBS Sunday Morning was cited as one reason for action against them. They say the alleged censorship effort violates freedom of expression.

The Pentagon had previously said it planned to modernize the newspaper and focus its coverage on military operations, weapons, warfighting capability and troop welfare. Critics contend this could restrict its independence. The lawsuit also cites reporting on food and supply shortages and sailors’ mental stress during the prolonged deployment of USS Abraham, reports that President Donald Trump and Hegseth rejected as false.