SecDef Hegseth cracks down on reporters covering Pentagon, citing ‘national security’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has banned journalists from accessing most of the Pentagon without an official government escort by their side.

Hegseth issued the new order in a memo published Friday. In the memo, he cited concerns about national security as the reason for the order.

“The Department of Defense’ s (DoD) highest priority is the defense of our Nation and our national security,” he wrote. “[T]he protection of classified national intelligence information (CNSI) and sensitive, unclassified information, including information deemed critical to operations security (OPSEC), remains an unwavering imperative for the Department.”

Especially, he added, amid a flurry of recent “unauthorized disclosures,” i.e. leaks that have made it to the media.

We’re announcing additional credentialing procedures for press at the Pentagon in the interest of national security. pic.twitter.com/2fQA4z7AsO

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) May 23, 2025

“While the Department remains committed to transparency, the Department is equally obligated to protect CNSI and sensitive information – the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. Service members in danger,” Hegseth continued.

And so on account of that, he wrote, “updated security measures for resident and visiting press are needed to reduce the opportunities for in-person inadvertent and unauthorized disclosures.”

The left isn’t happy about this, with the Associated Press complaining that Hegseth is barring reporters free access to “areas where the press has had access in past administrations as it covers the activities of the world’s most powerful military.”

The so-called Pentagon Press Association — which is like a union for journalists who cover the Pentagon — echoed these concerns in a scathing statement that it released Friday night.

“[T]he Pentagon Press Corps has had access to non-secured, unclassified spaces in the Pentagon for decades, under Republican and Democratic administrations, including in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, without any concern about OP-SEC from DoD leadership,” the group said.

“There is no way to sugarcoat it. Today’s memo by Secretary Hegseth appears to be a direct attack on the freedom of the press and America’s right to know what its military is doing,” it added.

Guess what Pentagon Press Association, FA-FO.

You’ve spared no effort to demonize new defense leadership, and now you don’t get the caviar treatment in one of the world’s most secured buildings.

Welcome to being treated still better than most people. pic.twitter.com/JnmUwdmAQO

— Chase Spears (@DrChaseSpears) May 24, 2025

But Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Sean Parnell defended the move in a tweet, writing that “[t]hese are pragmatic changes to protect operational security & ultimately brings the Pentagon in line with other government buildings.”

In addition to banning reporters from accessing the Pentagon with an escort, Hegseth’s memo also mentioned requiring members of the Pentagon press corps to sign a form vowing to closely protect any sensitive information that they see or overhear.

“In coming weeks, Pentagon Press Corps members will be required to complete an updated in-briefing form explaining their responsibilities to protect CNSI and sensitive information and reissued a new style of PFAC with a clearer ‘PRESS’ identifier on their badge,” the memo explained.

PFAC is short for Pentagon Facilities Alternate Credential.

“We also anticipate a forthcoming announcement of additional security  measures and enhanced scrutiny on the issue of PFACs,” the memo continued. “OSD(PA) will coordinate the Pentagon Force Protection Agency to ensure compliance with these additional security controls, including new PFACs. Failure by any member of the resident or visiting press to comply with these control measures will result in further restrictions and possibly revocation of press credentials.”

BREAKING: SecDef Pete Hegseth BANS members of the media from the Pentagon’s gym & restricts their movement in several secure portions of the Pentagon without express approval or escort.

Reporters will also have to complete an updated briefing for national security.

GOOD!

— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) May 24, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

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