Fired Stars and Stripes ombudsman sues the Pentagon

The Washington Post · Liam Scott and Scott Nover · last updated June 25, 2026 – 4:11 PM

Jacqueline Smith alleges the government violated her First Amendment rights when she was dismissed in April.

Jacqueline Smith, the ombudsman for military newspaper Stars and Stripes who was fired in April by the Pentagon, sued the agency on Thursday, alleging that her dismissal was retaliatory and violated her First Amendment rights.

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Fired Stars and Stripes ombudsman sues the Pentagon

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