WASHINGTON — The press corps at the Pentagon is undergoing some changes, with familiar faces making appearances.
Laura Loomer, known for her right-wing views, and former Congressman Matt Gaetz were seen in the audience during the Department of the Army’s inaugural press conference after a veteran reporter relinquished his building permit after signing a contentious agreement with the Army’s Press Office.
Gaetz, who left Congress earlier this year and now hosts a show on One America News, directed questions at spokesman Kingsley Wilson about the situation in “post-Maduro” Venezuela as U.S. military pressure increases.
“If Nicolás Maduro were to leave today, what role would the War Department play in a post-Maduro Venezuela?” he inquired. “Can you walk us through how the current Venezuelan military or government members might be involved in this transition?”
Wilson, praising Hegseth’s Pentagon as the most transparent in U.S. history, did not offer an in-depth answer, simply stating that the Pentagon “has contingency plans for any eventuality.”
Gaetz, wearing an old jacket that read “Congressman Matt Gaetz,” pressed for clarification on whether the government views anyone associated with the Venezuelan military or government as a “narco-terrorist.”
Wilson remarked, “That would be up to the president.” She added, “However, all individuals we’ve engaged with who are involved in drug trafficking into the U.S. are considered narco-terrorists.”
Loomer, often critical of Qatar, queried Wilson about the ongoing sale of F-16 jets and military training for Doha, particularly in light of President Trump’s consideration of classifying the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization.
“Considering that the Qatari royal family and Qatar are significant backers of the Muslim Brotherhood, will this relationship be reassessed?” she asked.
Qatar has faced continuous allegations of collaborating with the Muslim Brotherhood, allegedly providing support and funding. They deny any formal connections to terrorist groups.
“We are not focusing on reassessments currently,” Wilson responded. “The Secretary prioritizes national security, and this administration remains committed to protecting American assets.”
In a notable moment, an anonymous attendee challenged Loomer’s inquiry, raising whether the U.S. was reconsidering its ties to Israel after claims that “the Israeli government funded Hamas.”
Wilson didn’t refute the serious allegation regarding Israel’s funding of the group involved in the October 7 attack on Israel, instead deferring those questions to the State Department.
“That’s a question better suited for the State Department, as they maintain diplomatic relations with other countries,” she noted.
A host of media organizations, including Fox News and the New York Times, have returned their press badges in exchange for signing a new agreement that allows passholders to report only information provided by official spokespeople.
Media outlets that opted not to sign this agreement were explicitly barred from asking questions during Tuesday’s briefing, per an email from the Pentagon press office.
“The traditional media chose to leave voluntarily, but given the statistics, it’s evident why others didn’t follow. Trust in mainstream media has hit a record low at 28%,” Wilson stated from the podium. “The public no longer trusts these entities because they don’t report the truth.”
“We aren’t going to plead with these old gatekeepers to return, nor are we looking to reconstruct a flawed model for their sake. Instead, we’re embracing new media that truly engages American citizens, raises genuine questions, and avoids a biased agenda,” she concluded.
