The Pentagon has recently reclassified its press office as a "classified space," effectively barring journalists from entering. This marks the latest move in a series of escalating restrictions on the media.
Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Waldes confirmed the change, explaining that the office has been re-designated as a sensitive information isolation facility because the speechwriting team for Secretary of War Hegseth frequently handles classified information there. However, appointments with senior public affairs officials are still possible. Waldes also posted on X: "This is the most transparent Department of War in history—no amount of fake news media spin can change that."
Yet this closed-off office has long served as the primary point of contact between journalists and Pentagon officials. In the past, reporters could freely enter to seek explanations from public affairs staff, attend informal briefings, and engage directly with officials—all now prohibited.
In reality, relations between the Pentagon and the media have been strained for years. Secretary of War Hegseth, a former Fox News host appointed by Trump, has implemented a string of restrictions since taking office over a year ago: journalists must now be escorted into the building, many previously accessible areas are off-limits, and reporters were even required to sign pledges vowing not to inquire about any information not officially authorized for release—even non-classified materials. As a result, major outlets including Fox News, CNN, Associated Press, and The New York Times all refused to sign, and hundreds of journalists ultimately returned their Pentagon press credentials.
These restrictions have sparked multiple lawsuits. After The New York Times sued in March, a federal judge struck down a key provision—but the Pentagon appealed and introduced a temporary rule requiring journalists to be accompanied at all times when inside the building. In May, The New York Times filed another lawsuit, arguing these policies violate the Constitution by suppressing independent reporting on military affairs; the case remains ongoing.
Hegseth himself has repeatedly attacked mainstream media as "fake news," denouncing coverage of U.S. strikes against Iran as "endless garbage," and likened the Pentagon’s media pool to the Pharisees described in the Bible. In short, relations between the Pentagon and the press are growing increasingly tense.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866961347413067/
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