Overview
- Defense officials say more than 60 reporters from new-media and independent outlets have signed the rules and now hold credentials, while legacy networks and newspapers remain out.
- Preliminary lists reviewed by the Washington Post and Politico indicate the new cohort skews conservative, with Lindell TV, Turning Point USA’s Frontlines, Gateway Pundit, Post Millennial, Human Events, National Pulse, RedState and podcaster Tim Pool among those named.
- An internal government document reported by the Washington Post showed only 15 signatories at one point, creating a discrepancy with the Pentagon’s public claim of more than 60.
- The Pentagon’s policy centralizes control over publishable information and warns that accreditation can be revoked; President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defend access as a privilege.
- In a related step, the department also required employees to obtain approval before contacting members of Congress, tightening oversight of internal communications.