Pete Hegseth, amid a flurry of information breaches, tightens restrictions on media within the Pentagon | United States armed forces

On Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth implemented significant restrictions on press access within the Pentagon, seemingly as a response to the recent leaks of classified and unclassified information. In a two-page memo, Hegseth confined credentialed reporters to a specific corner on one floor of the Pentagon, restricting their movement to other areas without permission and escort. This includes areas occupied by the joint chiefs and the joint chiefs’ press office. Reporters will also be prohibited from accessing the Pentagon Athletic Center and new credentials will be issued, clearly indicating the words “PRESS” on the badge. According to Hegseth, these draconian access restrictions are aimed at limiting the number of leaks from the Pentagon. However, it remains unclear how restricting access to unclassified and non-secured hallways, where military officials regularly walk around, will prevent leaks. The board of the Pentagon Press Association criticized the move, noting that it appears to be a direct attack on press freedom and the public’s right to know about military operations. The Pentagon has been plagued by leaks since Hegseth took over, leading him to launch an investigation into nine separate disclosures, including classified information about potential US military control of the Panama Canal. In response, Hegseth fired three top aides last month, but the leaks have continued. The new restrictions are comparable to the limited press access at the White House, but the Pentagon will be even more restricted than other executive branch agencies.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/23/hegseth-press-access-pentagon-leaks