Hegseth Critiques Media Response to Pentagon’s Reporting Policy
On Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took to social media to mock several news organizations for refusing to comply with the Pentagon’s new reporting guidelines. His response included a waving goodbye emoji, aimed at a post that revealed these media outlets’ decisions.
Prominent publications such as the Associated Press, Reuters, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, CNN, and NPR announced that their reporters would decline to sign documents affirming their understanding of the Pentagon’s new access rules. Many of them shared statements across social media platforms.
In reaction to these statements, Hegseth remarked on various posts, particularly one from The Atlantic, where he expressed strong opposition to the restrictions, again using the goodbye emoji.
He responded similarly to a post from The Washington Post, which argued that the new policy undermines First Amendment rights by imposing excessive restrictions on information collection. Hegseth also used the same emoji in his reply to a claim from The New York Times, which expressed concern that the Pentagon could penalize journalists for typical reporting protected under the First Amendment.
Hegseth has a history of antagonism toward news organizations and has consistently limited media access within the Pentagon. Despite his claims of transparency, his office made notable changes earlier this year, removing four news organizations from their Pentagon office space and replacing them with outlets viewed more favorably by the Trump administration, such as One America News Network and Breitbart News. Following complaints, four additional media outlets, including The Hill, were removed.
Although the displaced journalists could still work in the building, Hegseth’s office made it challenging for them by restricting access to the press briefing rooms—one of the few spots in the building equipped with wireless internet necessary for submitting stories.
In May, he instituted a ban on journalists accessing most hallways at the Pentagon without official escort. This was seen as a significant shift, given that reporters had previously roamed freely in most areas for decades, although certain restricted spaces always required permission.
The Pentagon’s revised reporting policy doesn’t outright prohibit journalists from pursuing stories related to the military using classified information. However, the draft rule states that requests for such information could be deemed a “security or safety risk.”
According to the Pentagon, these solicitations include requests for information and urge military personnel to share otherwise nonpublic data through various channels, including their personal social media, something reporters often do when regular press briefings aren’t available.
The Pentagon Press Association stated last week that Hegseth and other officials have “systematically restricted access to information about the U.S. military” since the year’s start.
Surprisingly, even some right-leaning news organizations have expressed discontent with the policy. Both the Washington Times and Newsmax criticized it, labeling the requirements as “unnecessary and onerous,” and expressed doubt that reporters would choose to sign them.
Reporters have until Tuesday to agree to the new regulations or risk losing their press credentials by Wednesday. Editors and journalists have affirmed their intention to continue covering the U.S. military, even if it means doing so without formal journalist qualifications.
