The media will be under strict new rules as they access the Pentagon. Democrats find it deeply troubling, and others find it common sense, and normalizing. It will follow rules similar to the White House. You decide.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday unveiled new restrictions on building access for Pentagon reporters. The media calls it unprecedented and worrisome. They say it will limit the flow of information on military operations, reports ABC News.
Hopefully, it will slow the leaks. If they weren’t leaking nonstop, it is doubtful any of this would have happened.
Access to the building bans “unprofessional conduct that might serve to disrupt Pentagon operations,” as well as “attempts to improperly obtain” classified or unclassified information deemed “controlled,” according to a memo released to reporters.
If reporters don’t agree to the terms or violate the rules will lose access, the memo states.
The document sent to press outlets also notes: “DoW [Department of War] information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified.”
“The ‘press’ does not run the Pentagon – the people do,” Hegseth wrote in a post on 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.” The new rules take effect next week Reporters would still be allowed to visit the building so long as they were accompanied by an escort and stated a reason for their visit
They have had 24/7 access to confidential and secure spaces in the Pentagon, and now they don’t.
They are calling it “troubling” since it’s being done during a difficult, divisive era.
Details
According to the new rules, the head of the Pentagon police “shall deny, revoke, or refuse to renew the PFAC of any person reasonably determined to pose a security or safety risk to DoW (Department of War) personnel or property.”
That standard would include such acts as treason and terrorism. But it also would include “unprofessional conduct that might serve to disrupt Pentagon operations,” the new policy stated.
“Additionally, actions other than conviction may be deemed to pose a security or safety risk, such as attempts to improperly obtain CNSI [classified national security information] or CUI [confidential unclassified information], or being found in physical possession of CNSI or CUI without reporting,” according to the memo.
BREAKING – Pete Hegseth confirms journalists will no longer roam the Pentagon freely, now requiring badges, escorts, and strict rules against soliciting classified or sensitive information to crack down on leaks and “fake news” reporting inside the building. pic.twitter.com/NyHjq9TSwW
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) October 5, 2025
When I used to drive and deliver for Pepsi to military bases several years ago, I had to jump through hoops just to get on base. Even though they knew who I was, I was treated like a first-time visitor every single week. From the moment I was ID”d at the gate, to the building I had to park my… Read more »
I recall entering the Pentagon perimeter in 2002, less than one year after it was attacked by Islamic terrorists. Even though I held a top secret security clearance I was subjected to a thorough search and ID check at the gate, which was manned by Marines aiming twin 50-caliber machine guns at both sides of every vehicle entering the facility.… Read more »
The way it should have been all along.
I worked as a civilian federal employee of the US Naval Undersea Warfare Center for more than 30 years. At no time was the news media allowed unbridled access to the base, its buildings or its people. So why should military headquarters be any different? The Communist media only needs to know what the Department of War releases to them… Read more »
Right on.
Still cleaning up the Biden destruction of the former DoD.
What are reporters doing anywhere in the Pentagon other than in the designated :Press Briefing Room. The Press does not have a ‘need to know’.
Exactly