New Pentagon security measures seen as an attack on the freedom of the press

| May 24, 2025 | 23 Comments

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, implemented security measures related to the press. Credentialed reporters are now banned from most areas of the Pentagon. Members of the press wanting to access these banned areas need to obtain official approval. Once approval is received, the journalist must be escorted. Hegseth implemented these measures to improve security for intelligence and classified materials. The Pentagon Press Association criticized these measures as an attack on the freedom of the press.

From Fox News:

The new rules ban credentialed reporters from most of the Department of Defense headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, without official approval and escort, Hegseth said in a memorandum.

Hegseth described the protection of classified national intelligence information and sensitive unclassified information on operational security as “an unwavering imperative for the Department.”

“While the Department remains committed to transparency, the Department is equally obligated to protect [Classified National Security Information] and sensitive information – the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. Service members in danger,” the secretary said.

Hegseth’s order will also soon require members of the Pentagon press corps to sign a form acknowledging their responsibility to protect national intelligence and sensitive information. Journalists will also be issued new badges that clearly identify them as members of the press.

Additional Reading:

Mion, L. (2025, May 24). Hegseth hits Pentagon press with stricter orders on credentials in order to protect ‘national security’. Fox News. Link.

Category: Big Pentagon, Media

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KoB

‘Cump Sherman approves this action…but would’ve taken it a few steps further. (IYKYK) A learning opportunity for you, Slow Joe! 😉

Slow Joe

Wait. What?

KoB

Poking fun at ya, Good Sir…err…Warrior Sergeant (yeah I know that about you). Sherman absolutely despised the press, refused to have them in/around his HQs (if at all possible), and imposed draconian restrictions on what they could report or even see. Sherman even had a few courts martial actions on some…and ossifers that fed them intel. Google Foo “Sherman’s opinion on reporters” and the search will generate all types of linkys and quotes from him on the subject. One of the few things that I respected about that barn burning, chicken stealing, making war on defenceless women and children, genocidal pyro-maniac. Read thru some of that stuff and you’re going to go….”DAAAYUUUM!”. Good times!

26Limabeans

“new badges that clearly identify them as members of the press”

Iron Cross?

Retired Grunt

Actually I heard it’s brown shirts with little red armbands. I’m just happy that I’m not the fascist anymore.

SFC D

Seems reasonable to me. The press has no right to unfettered unsupervised access to any government workspace. For that matter, neither does Joe Q. Public.

Eggs

Defense officials who have spoken under the condition of anonymity could not be reached for comment.

Amateur Historian

Nor Vindman?

rgr769

That rat bastard should not be allowed near any restricted space. He has already proven he will illegally disclose classified information in the service of his severe TDS.

Amateur Historian

Yep. Rat bastard, that he is.

SFC D

Which one? Or the wife?

Skivvy Stacker

Free Press doesn’t mean Total Access.

HT3

So, now after all the pearl clutching and twisted panties about not safeguarding information in Signal-gate, the Dems/Press (one-in-the-same) are complaining about protecting classified information. Who’s surprised?

9v2twk
Slow Joe

Fuck yeah!

How in the world was this not SOP for the last 70 years?

timactual

As a teenager I lived within walking distance of the Pentagon. It has a great library on the “A” ring. I used to walk into the Pentagon and go to the library. When I found a book I liked I would walk up to my mother’s office (she worked for DARPA at the time), tell her which book(s) I wanted, and she would check them out for me. Occasionally, out of curiosity, I would explore. There were several roads that ran underneath the Pentagon at the time. The traffic was like an airport terminal, lots of buses and taxis used by Pentagon employees and open to the public. The main concourse of the building had a number of stores, including a Brentano’s bookstore which I also frequented. All publicly accessible.
Times change. “O Tempora, O Mores”.

Pitbull

When stationed at the pentagon as a butter bar I remember what you describe. Secure areas were secure, but most areas were accessible. Remember fondly the chili the cafeteria just outside the concourse served. Thought it was great!

Amateur Historian

With all the constant rage the dems, media, and deep state have had going on since circa. 2016, how come none of them have died from the resulting high blood pressure? Least a good number of them should’ve popped aneurysms.

rgr769

Ahh, but one can still hope. It springs eternal.

AW1Ed

“Democracy Dies in Darkness.”

Who says The Washington Post has no sense of humor?

media12
A Proud Infidel®™

The DNC minions of today’s mainstream snooze media throw flaming shitfits EVERY time they don’t get exactly what they want right then!

Charles

Ummm,

I wonder how many news organizations would allow a member of the Defense Department to freely wander through their hallways, checking in on stories in progress, see who was interviewing whom, check on the status of internet links, you know, just living the moment by being there.

Yeah, I’m waiting for it.

Odie

Bring a comfy chair and snacks. Lots of snacks.

Old tanker

Dunno why they are complaining. All they need is a special app for their phone…