Hegseth Restricts Pentagon Communications as Trump Rebrands Department of War

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg issued directives on October 15 and 17, 2025, requiring nearly all department personnel to obtain approval from the office of legislative affairs before interacting with members of Congress or state lawmakers. The policy, which applies to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and combatant commanders, aims to align messaging to support priorities like rebuilding the military and reviving a "warrior ethos." This centralization of control coincides with President Donald Trump's announcement to rename the agency the Department of War.

These restrictions extend to the media, where Hegseth introduced a policy forbidding the use of unauthorized material, even if non-classified, without official permission. In protest, dozens of military reporters surrendered their press passes, with the Pentagon Press Association claiming the rules violate First Amendment rights. Spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the moves as pragmatic steps to improve internal processes and transparency.

Lawmakers from both parties criticized the directives. Representative Ro Khanna accused Hegseth of evading scrutiny over operations in Venezuela, while Senator John Cornyn warned that inhibited information flow could jeopardize the confirmation of high-ranking nominees. These internal tensions follow the retirement announcement of Admiral Alvin Holsey, head of the U.S. Southern Command. Holsey reportedly raised concerns regarding kinetic strikes ordered by President Trump against Tren de Aragua narcoterrorists in the Caribbean Sea, which resulted in at least 32 deaths. Vice President JD Vance dismissed allegations that these strikes constituted war crimes.