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1h ago

Pentagon Press Rules Face Coordinated Pushback as Trump Distances Himself from Hegseth

Major outlets and press groups prepare legal challenges after media-law experts label the reporter pledge a prior restraint.

Aerial view of the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2025. The Pentagon has unveiled new restrictions on media covering the US military, requiring them to pledge not to disclose anything not formally authorized for publication and limiting their movements within the "Department of War." The new guidelines, laid out in a lengthy memo distributed to reporters on Friday, require them to sign an affidavit promising to comply -- or risk losing their media credentials. The move is the latest by the administration of US President Donald Trump to control media coverage of his policies, and after he suggested that negative stories could be "illegal." (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on September 9.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers remarks during ceremony at the Pentagon on Sept. 19, 2025 in Arlington, Va.

Overview

  • The Defense Department circulated a 17-page memo requiring credentialed reporters to pledge not to gather or publish information not authorized for release, including unclassified material, or risk losing Pentagon access.
  • Leaders at The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR and others publicly criticized the policy, and media lawyers are evaluating court challenges as the Pentagon Press Association reviews the directive.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the restrictions, telling reporters to "wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home," following months of workspace reassignments, escorted-access rules and sharply reduced briefings.
  • President Trump signaled disagreement when asked if the Pentagon should decide what reporters can report, saying, "No, I don’t think so," highlighting internal divergence over the policy.
  • A separate Sept. 15 memo tightened vetting of external speaking engagements and prioritized "professional" forums, underscoring a broader effort to centralize message control across the department.