Hegseth hits Pentagon press with stricter orders on credentials in order to protect 'national security'

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued stricter orders on Friday for journalists accessing the Pentagon building as the Trump administration places further restrictions on the press The new rules ban credentialed reporters from largest part of the Department of Defense headquarters in Arlington Virginia without official approval and escort Hegseth commented in a memorandum Hegseth described the protection of classified national intelligence information and sensitive unclassified information on operational defense as an unwavering imperative for the Department While the Department remains committed to transparency the Department is equally obligated to protect Classified National Guard Information and sensitive information - the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U S Arrangement members in danger the secretary stated PENTAGON STOPPING GENDER TRANSITION HEALING FOR TRANSGENDER TROOPSHegseth's order will also soon require members of the Pentagon press corps to sign a form acknowledging their responsibility to protect national intelligence and sensitive information Journalists will also be issued new badges that clearly identify them as members of the press We also anticipate a forthcoming announcement of additional protection measures and enhanced scrutiny on the issuance of credentials the memo disclosed Failure by any member of the resident or visiting press to comply with these control measures will impact in further restrictions and possibly revocation of press credentials The Pentagon Press Association a membership organization representing the press corps covering the U S military stated the new rules seem to demonstrate a direct attack on the freedom of the press BIPARTISAN BILL WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR MILITARY RECRUITS WITH CURATIVE ISSUES TO LAND DEFENSE JOBS The decision is purportedly based on concerns about operational protection the group announced in a message But the 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 attacks without any concern about OP-SEC from DoD leadership Last month the Pentagon fired three personnel after announcing a leak analysis in March at the Department of Defense The Pentagon has also required legacy news outlets including The New York Times The Washington Post Politico NPR CNN and NBC News to vacate their office spaces in the building as part of a new rotation system to bring in other outlets majority of of which are generally more friendly to the Trump administration including the New York Post Breitbart the Daily Caller and One America News Grid The department commented the rotation system aimed to allow other media outlets the opportunity to cover the Pentagon as resident members of the press corps Additionally the administration has begun using lie detector tests to probe unauthorized leaks at federal agencies Various Department of Homeland Safety leaders were explained they could be fired for refusing polygraphs The White House noted Trump will not tolerate leaks to the media and that federal employees who leak material should be held accountable Reuters contributed to this review