Dozens of journalists voluntarily left the Pentagon on Wednesday after refusing to comply with newly imposed government restrictions on their reporting activities. The U.S. government defended the rules as “common sense,” but news outlets overwhelmingly rejected them.
Journalists faced potential expulsion if they attempted to cover unapproved information, classified or otherwise, as dictated by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. As the 4 p.m. ET deadline approached, reporters collectively exited the Pentagon, turning in their access badges and clearing out their workspaces, symbolizing a united stance against the restrictive measures.
Nancy Youssef, a long-time Pentagon reporter for The Atlantic, expressed both sadness and pride in the press corps’ solidarity. Despite uncertainties about the rules’ practical effects, news organizations affirmed their commitment to covering military affairs extensively from various perspectives.
President Donald Trump voiced support for the new regulations, citing his belief that the press disrupts global peace and is dishonest. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has been criticized for limiting information flow by reducing media briefings, restricting access, and probing leaks.
Journalists and media organizations viewed the rules as an attempt to control the narrative by limiting information access. Many emphasized that their reporting would persist, even if it meant operating outside the Pentagon. The Pentagon Press Association and a wide array of news outlets, including mainstream and conservative media, opposed the rules, with only One America News Network (OANN) endorsing them.
Despite the challenges, reporters remain determined to fulfill their journalistic duties, emphasizing the importance of transparency and public awareness in military reporting.