Overview

• Cuccia’s bureau chief demanded her Pentagon badge on May 29 after she accused Hegseth in a Substack post of blocking press briefings and sealing off formerly open corridors.
• OAN officially dismissed her on May 30, and network president Charles Herring declined to explain the decision.
• A Defense Department official told the Associated Press that the Pentagon did not revoke her credentials, indicating her removal was an internal network action.
• Cuccia’s termination exposes tensions within pro-Trump media over the acceptability of dissent against administration officials.
• Press freedom advocates warn that Hegseth’s escort requirement represents a significant tightening of independent media access at the Pentagon.