Several major news organizations, including the New York Times, The Associated Press, and the conservative Newsmax television network, announced on Monday that they will not comply with a U.S. Defense Department directive outlining new press regulations. This decision raises the possibility that the Trump administration will expel their journalists from the Pentagon.
These news outlets argue that the policy poses a threat to their ability to conduct routine news gathering activities, which are protected under the First Amendment. The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Reuters have also joined the coalition of organizations refusing to sign the document.
In a public statement, Reuters emphasized its commitment to accurate, impartial, and independent reporting, citing the importance of press freedoms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The agency expressed concerns that the Pentagon’s new guidelines undermine these core principles.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded by sharing the New York Times’ statement on social media with a waving hand emoji. His team has set a deadline for reporters to acknowledge the policy in writing by Tuesday. Failure to comply will result in journalists surrendering their Pentagon access badges and vacating their workspaces the following day.
Under the new regulations, journalists are prohibited from accessing certain areas of the Pentagon without an escort. Additionally, Hegseth has the authority to revoke press credentials from reporters who seek information from Defense Department personnel without his prior approval.
Newsmax, known for its supportive stance towards the Trump administration, expressed reservations about the requirements, hoping for a reconsideration by the Pentagon.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the rules as “common sense media procedures” and clarified that the policy only requires journalists to acknowledge their understanding of it, not necessarily agree with it. Parnell dismissed criticisms from reporters, stating that the policy aims to ensure the security of the country and its military personnel.
Journalists have pushed back against what they view as false claims, asserting that signing the statement implies that their reporting jeopardizes national security, which they refute. They underscore that they operate within ethical boundaries, do not access classified areas, and prioritize public interest without compromising security.
The Pentagon Press Association emphasized that while the Pentagon has the authority to establish policies, requiring reporters to affirm vague and potentially unconstitutional guidelines as a prerequisite for reporting from Pentagon facilities is unwarranted.
Highlighting the public’s right to transparency in government and military operations, Times Washington bureau chief Richard Stevenson emphasized the importance of taxpayers being informed about how nearly $1 trillion US dollars are spent annually on the U.S. military.
President Trump’s administration has faced criticism for its efforts to pressure news organizations through legal actions and funding cutbacks. Notably, ABC News and CBS News have settled lawsuits related to their coverage, while lawsuits against the New York Times and Wall Street Journal have been initiated. Additionally, funding reductions have been proposed for government-operated services like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
