The Pentagon restrictions on media covering the military follow a series of moves by the Trump administration to curtail press access. The changes overhaul historic access for the press.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens during an event with President Trump to sign executive orders regarding nuclear energy in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Washington, D.
C..The U.S. Defense Department is implementing new restrictions on journalists covering the Pentagon. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the changesThe restrictions ban reporters and other media from many areas of the Pentagon unless they're accompanied by an approved government escort. The restricted areas include the offices of Hegseth, his top aides, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Members of the press covering the U.S. military have historically had access to these newly restricted areas through past Republican and Democratic presidential administrations. Hegseth, a former FOX News host, said in the memo that the Pentagon is adopting the new media policies to protect national security: "While the Department remains committed to transparency, the Department is equally obligated to protect and sensitive information — the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. Service members in danger." The Pentagon Press Association, an organization independent from the U.S. government that represents journalists who cover the military, expressed deep concern in a statement shared with NPR. "There is no way to sugarcoat it," PPA's board of directors said in the statement."Today's memo by Secretary Hegseth appears to be a direct attack on the freedom of the press and America's right to know what its military is doing."The restrictions are the latest step by the White House to limit access for journalists and to tightly control the news reporting of journalists covering the Trump administration. In January, the Defense Department vacated several major news outlets from their dedicated workspaces at the Pentagon,the White House Correspondents' Association's ability to decide how media outlets share coverage of President Trump at major events where space is limited.on his private phone through the Signal messaging app. Then-National Security Advisor Michael Waltz mistakenly included a journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, Hegseth's memo on the new restrictions says journalists will be required to complete a form"explaining their responsibilities" and receive a new credential and badge with"clearer" press identifiers in the coming weeks. The notice says credentials will be issued under"enhanced scrutiny."Kristin Wright is an editor of NPR Newscasts airing during Morning Edition and throughout the morning. Based in Washington, D.C., Wright also contributes as a fill-in Newscast anchor.A vote to close 3 San Diego County schools may be imminent
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Defense Secretary Hegseth, bedeviled by leaks, orders more restrictions on press at PentagonDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered further restrictions on how the press operates at the Pentagon.
Read more »
Defense Secretary Hegseth, bedeviled by leaks, orders more restrictions on press at PentagonDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered further restrictions on how the press operates at the Pentagon.
Read more »
Defense Secretary Hegseth, bedeviled by leaks, orders more restrictions on press at PentagonDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered further restrictions on how the press operates at the Pentagon.
Read more »
Defense Secretary Hegseth, bedeviled by leaks, orders more restrictions on press at PentagonBedeviled by leaks to the media during his short tenure, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a series of restrictions on the press late Friday that include
Read more »
Defense Secretary Hegseth, Bedeviled By Leaks, Orders More Restrictions On Press At PentagonDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered further restrictions on how the press operates at the Pentagon.
Read more »
Defense Sec. Hegseth puts new limits on press access at the PentagonThe Pentagon restrictions on media covering the military follow a series of moves by the Trump administration to curtail press access. The changes overhaul historic access for the press.
Read more »