Pentagon reporters had until 5 p.m. Tuesday to sign off on a new set of rules that tighten access, including having to wear visible badges and facing new restrictions on where they can go inside the building. By Wednesday, all major U.S. news outlets—except one—had withdrawn their reporters from the Pentagon in protest, citing First Amendment concerns. The New York Times, which refused to sign the policy, argued the new rules effectively muzzle reporters and threaten retaliation against those who pursue information not preapproved for release. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the changes, however, explaining the policy simply brings the Pentagon in line with rules at every U.S. military installation and the White House.
Asked about the new policy during a Cabinet meeting this week, Hegseth said the changes were all "common sense" and President Trump agreed.
“I find that when it comes to war... it bothers me to have soldiers and even high-ranking generals walking around with you guys on their sleeve," the president said.
President Trump and Secretary Hegseth spoke about the new press policy at the Pentagon:@POTUS “I find that when it comes to WAR, it bothers me to have soldiers and even high-ranking generals walking around with you guys (the fake news) on their sleeve…” pic.twitter.com/2G3kGUFqxa
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) October 14, 2025
That will no longer be an issue, as they packed their bags and left on Wednesday, leaving One America News Network as the sole media outlet operating under the Pentagon’s new press policy.
⚡️Major media outlets like CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times abandoned Pentagon access, rejecting War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s new rules as a First Amendment violation, with only OANN complying. pic.twitter.com/XLbtvEiJYG
— S2FUncensored (@S2FUncensored) October 16, 2025
🇺🇸📰Major media walkout at the Pentagon.
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) October 15, 2025
Dozens of reporters from nearly every major U.S. outlet left their Pentagon offices and surrendered their press badges at 4:00 pm, after all but one outlet refused to sign Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s new “pledge” imposing stricter… pic.twitter.com/ksLoNqPfyd
OANN now has exclusive rights to the War Department. Great strategy on their part. Now CBS, Fox, etc. all have to publish OANN first hand reports.
— Someone Important (@justimportant2) October 14, 2025
Hegseth, for his part, appeared unfazed by the backlash from outlets, waving a goodbye emoji to several news organizations that posted their objections on X this week.
