Members of the Pentagon press corp carry their belongings out of the Pentagon after turning in their press credentials in Washington. (AP Photo)
Dozens of reporters who cover the US Defence Department turned in their badges and vacated their office in the Pentagon on Wednesday as new restrictions on press access took effect, instead of agreeing to the new government imposed restrictions. The US President Donald Trump’s administration called the new rules “common sense” to help regulate a “very disruptive press”, reported Associated Press.
The defence department had set Tuesday as a deadline for the journalists to sign the new Pentagon press access policy or they would lose access to press credentials and workspaces in the Pentagon. However, news outlets were nearly unanimous in rejecting the new rules imposed by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
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At least 30 news organisations, including Reuters, New York Times declined to sign the new policy introduced by the Trump administration and cited a threat to press freedom and their ability to carry out independent news collection on one of the world’s most powerful military.
Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right. So, here is @DeptofWar press credentialing FOR DUMMIES:
✅ Press no longer roams free
✅ Press must wear visible badge
✅ Credentialed press no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts
DONE. Pentagon now has same rules as every…
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 13, 2025
The new Pentagon policy would leave journalists vulnerable if they ask defence department employees to reveal classified information and some types of unclassified information. The department would take action against journalists and they could be branded security risks and have their Pentagon press badges revoked.
A statement by the Pentagon Press Association, which represents over 100 news organisations, said Wednesday was “a dark day for press freedom that raises concerns about a weakening US commitment to transparency in governance, to public accountability at the Pentagon and to free speech for all.”
Many reporters waited for the deadline set by the defence department which was 4pm to exit the Pentagon building. As the deadline approached, reporters lined up the Pentagon corridor with boxes of documents, chairs, a copying machine, books and old photos to the parking lot. About 40 to 50 journalists left the Pentagon after 4pm after handing in their badges.
Earlier on Monday, the Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell had said, “The policy does not ask for them to agree, just to acknowledge that they understand what our policy is. This has caused reporters to have a full blown meltdown, crying victims online. We stand by our policy because it’s what’s best for our troops and the national security of this country.”
(with inputs from agencies)
