Pentagon Clamps Down on Media Coverage

The Trump administration has introduced sweeping new restrictions on journalists covering the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), igniting backlash from news outlets and press freedom groups.

A 17-page memo issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mandates that credentialed journalists sign a pledge granting the Pentagon final approval over all reporting, even when based on unclassified information.

Reporters who refuse to sign risk losing their credentials, effectively cutting off their ability to cover the Pentagon. The rules also curtail journalists’ physical access to the building, banning unescorted movement in many previously open areas.

Pentagon officials defend the changes as vital for national security. They argue that tighter control will protect sensitive operations and personnel from the risks posed by leaks and misinformation.

However, critics call the rules unconstitutional. Major outlets such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal have condemned the policy as a form of “prior restraint” that threatens press independence.

Legal experts predict lawsuits challenging the policy on First Amendment grounds, arguing it violates longstanding protections for a free press.

The restrictions build on earlier actions. In early 2025, several outlets, including The New York Times and NPR, lost their Pentagon office spaces under a controversial “media rotation program” that favored conservative-leaning publications.

Journalists warn that losing direct access hinders real-time reporting and weakens their ability to maintain critical relationships with defense sources.

The new rules also risk delaying or blocking stories, as Pentagon approval becomes mandatory before publishing.

Observers fear the policy will reduce transparency, diminish accountability, and fundamentally weaken democratic oversight of U.S. defense operations.