Journalists Exit Pentagon After Refusing Hegseth's New Press Policy

Dozens of journalists from major news organizations surrendered their credentials and vacated the Pentagon between October 15 and 17, 2025, following a dispute over a new media policy. Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense (whose title was changed to Secretary of War by executive order), implemented the 21-page directive requiring reporters to sign a pledge acknowledging that soliciting or publishing information—including unclassified data—without official authorization could lead to the revocation of press credentials or criminal prosecution.

A broad coalition of media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Fox News, and the Associated Press, rejected the terms, arguing the policy constitutes an implicit gag order and violates First Amendment protections. The Pentagon Press Association condemned the move as a dark day for press freedom. Only a small number of reporters signed the policy, primarily from One America News Network and The Federalist.

President Donald Trump expressed full support for the restrictions, characterizing the press as disruptive and dishonest. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the guidelines as common sense measures for national security and troop safety. The walkout resulted in the first time since the Eisenhower administration that no major U.S. television network maintains a permanent presence within the building. Affected journalists have vowed to continue covering military affairs from outside the facility, while legal experts suggest the dispute may move toward the Supreme Court.