U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young is suing U.S. News & World Report. It's the latest move in his legal battle to clear his name. He says the outlet defamed him by republishing an article that claimed he “smuggled” people out of Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, Young won a defamation case against CNN. A Florida jury ruled the network falsely implied he profited illegally during the 2021 U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was awarded $5 million in damages — plus more for punitive damages still to be determined.
Since then, he’s gone after other outlets too. He sued the Associated Press and Puck for how they covered the CNN case. The AP’s report said Young’s business “helped smuggle people” out of Afghanistan. U.S. News republished that story, then pulled it.
Young’s lawyer says U.S. News didn’t do enough. “We gave U.S. News every opportunity to do the right thing,” Daniel Lustig said. “Words matter. The word they used meant something serious, and they knew it.”
U.S. News eventually issued a retraction. It said there was “no intention” to suggest Young’s actions were illegal. The outlet blamed the situation on a “possible misunderstanding.”
Young wasn’t satisfied. “We didn’t rush to court — we were forced,” Lustig said. “The media has a profound responsibility... we will continue holding them accountable in court.”
The new lawsuit was filed in Bay County, Florida. It claims the word “smuggled” was categorically false and deeply damaging. “Human smuggling” is a felony, but courts have ruled Young’s actions were legal.
The AP has defended its reporting. “AP’s story was a factual and accurate report on the jury verdict,” a spokesperson said. Both the AP and U.S. News declined further comment.
Young is seeking compensatory damages and likely plans to add punitive damages. He’s not backing down — and says the fight is far from over.