Hegseth limits Pentagon press coverage – DW – 24th May, 2025

The military academy educates cadets to become commissioned officers in the US Army. About 1,000 graduate each year.

Trump gave the commencement address at West Point in 2020, among other things urging the graduating cadets to “never forget” the soldiers who fought a war over slavery.

He also acknowledged the academy’s long history and paid tribute to some of its most famous graduates, who included Douglas MacArthur, a top commander during World War II and the Korean War, and former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday issued new rules requiring journalists to have official escorts to access the Pentagon building.

Under the new rules, reporters cannot enter most of the Department of Defense headquarters without approval and an escort.

Accredited reporters are to be issued with new credentials that identify them as press representatives, according to the memorandum.

While the Department remains committed to transparency, it also has an “equal obligation to protect classified and sensitive information,” said Hegseth.

The restrictions follow several leaks from the Department of Defense.

Previously, reporters had free access to non-secured and unclassified areas of the building.

The Pentagon Press Association criticizes the move as an attack on press freedom.

New rules for journalists reporting from the Pentagon have sparked criticism that the Trump administration is seeking to suppress press freedom in the US.

The move by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth comes a day after dozens of staffers were fired from the White House National Security Council as President Trump aims to reduce the influence and scope of the once-powerful body.

Trump is also set to give his first commencement address of the current term to West Point graduates.

Read this blog for updates on these and other stories from the US.