Pete Hegseth defends new Pentagon media rules as NYT, CNN among others refuse to sign

WASHINGTON, DC: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is drawing a hard line with Washington journalists as the Pentagon’s new press access policy faces a wave of defiance from major media outlets. Reporters have until 5 pm, Tuesday to sign the updated access agreement or lose their Pentagon credentials.

The Department of War’s revised rules, which Hegseth says are essential for protecting national security, have ignited a firestorm of protest from leading news organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Reuters, The Atlantic, and Newsmax, all of whom have announced they will not comply.

Pete Hegseth says ‘the press does not run the Pentagon - the people do’

The new policy, finalized last month, requires journalists to sign an “in-brief form” acknowledging restrictions on movement and information gathering inside the Pentagon. The directive is part of what Hegseth described as a long-overdue tightening of access protocols for one of the nation’s most secure facilities.

“The ‘press’ does not run the Pentagon - the people do,” Hegseth said on September 19, defending the changes in a statement shared to X. “The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules or go home.”

His post linked to The Daily Wire’s exclusive report, which first broke news of the policy and detailed new physical access control measures.

New Pentagon credentials and security zones

According to the memo obtained by The Daily Wire, journalists holding Pentagon Facilities Alternate Credentials (PFAC) must now sign an acknowledgment form confirming awareness of information security procedures and escort requirements.

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency will issue updated press credentials marked “PRESS” in red to accredited reporters. Resident media began receiving them in late September, while visiting correspondents will be reissued credentials starting October 1.

The new guidelines restrict unescorted journalists to designated press zones, warning that violations could lead to credential suspension or permanent revocation.

Hegseth had initially outlined the access changes in a May 23 memo titled “Updated Physical Control Measures for Press/Media Access Within the Pentagon,” citing growing security concerns. The memo barred entry into the Secretary of Defense’s suite and Joint Staff areas without escorts and prohibited media access to the Pentagon Athletic Center.

Pentagon says press freedom remains intact

Facing criticism from media groups, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell sought to clarify the intent of the policy in a post on X on September 24.

“It should come as no surprise that the mainstream media is once again misrepresenting the Pentagon’s press procedures,” Parnell wrote. “Let’s be absolutely clear: journalists are not required to clear their stories with us. This claim is a lie.”

He elaborated, “Have an escort in sensitive areas. Wear a press credential. Don’t encourage our people to violate DoW policy. Pretty simple.”

A letter from Parnell dated September 24 to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press reiterated that the new form “does not impose restrictions on journalistic activities, such as investigating, reporting, or publishing stories - rights unequivocally protected by the First Amendment.”

The letter emphasized that the in-brief simply informs journalists of security expectations and potential reasons for credential revocation and that publishing unauthorized material alone would “not normally result in disciplinary action.”

Major outlets push back against Pentagon diktat

Despite these clarifications, the backlash continued to mount. By October 13, several major outlets announced they would not sign the new policy, citing “fundamental concerns” about press independence and access transparency.

The deadline, set for 5 pm, Tuesday, is expected to determine which organizations retain Pentagon credentials going forward.

For his part, Hegseth has remained unmoved by the resistance. “Access to the Pentagon is a privilege, not a right,” he reportedly told aides underscoring that, in his view, national security comes before media convenience.