Overview
- The Defense Department held its first briefing with newly credentialed reporters after major outlets surrendered Pentagon passes rather than accept a restrictive press agreement.
- Attendees included right-leaning personalities such as Laura Loomer, former Rep. Matt Gaetz of One America News, and James O’Keefe.
- Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson condemned the Washington Post’s reporting as false, disparaged legacy outlets, and said the Secretary and President direct strikes including follow-on actions.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that Pete Hegseth authorized Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley’s Sept. 2 actions, calling them within his authority and the law.
- Newly credentialed figures posted photos occupying desks once used by traditional outlets as critics derided the event, while the Post’s strike reporting fueled bipartisan calls for congressional hearings and prompted Trump to say he relied on Hegseth and did not know about a second strike.