U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued orders requiring journalists to have official escorts within much of the Pentagon building, effective immediately. This move bars credentialed reporters from most of the Department of Defense headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, unless they have official approval and an escort.
The decision is reportedly based on concerns about operational security and protecting classified national intelligence information. Hegseth emphasized that protecting sensitive information is “an unwavering imperative for the Department,” as unauthorized disclosure could put U.S. Service members’ lives in danger.
However, the Pentagon Press Association has criticized the new rules, calling them a “direct attack on the freedom of the press.” They argue that the press corps has had access to non-secured, unclassified spaces in the Pentagon for decades without concerns about operational security.
The new rules are: Journalists need official escorts within much of the Pentagon building, credentialed reporters are barred from most Department of Defense headquarters without approval and escort,criticized the rules as a “direct attack on the freedom of the press” and the Pentagon Press Corps has had access to non-secured spaces for decades without operational security concerns.
Trump administration has been cracking down on leaks and press access. Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January.
Recall the Pentagon launched an investigation, placing three officials on administrative leave and legacy media organizations, including The New York Times and CNN, were required to vacate their Pentagon office spaces, making way for other outlets.
Meanwhile, the administration has deployed lie detector tests to investigate unclassified leaks, warning officials that refusing polygraphs could lead to termination.
However, Journalists will be issued new credentials that more prominently identify them as members of the press and the Pentagon Press Association’s concerns about press freedom and operational security will likely continue to be a point of contention.
