In a bold move to restore order and security to the nation’s premier defense institution, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken decisive action against a press corps that has long operated with a sense of entitlement and disregard for protocol. The Pentagon, the very heart of America’s national security apparatus, can no longer function under the previous lax standards that allowed for potential leaks and the irresponsible handling of information.
Secretary Hegseth, a key appointee of President Donald Trump, demanded that reporters agree to a new, common-sense security policy by a 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline, a policy which simply required them to pledge not to obtain or use any unauthorized material, even if the information is unclassified. This is a foundational principle for anyone granted privileged access to sensitive government facilities, and its implementation is long overdue.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Journalists begin leaving Pentagon after refusing to sign Trump administration agreements on rules of access.
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) October 15, 2025
The so-called “journalists” from the entrenched media elite, however, revealed their true priorities. Instead of agreeing to abide by the rules that ensure the safety of our service members and the integrity of our national defense, they chose to stage a dramatic walkout. By Wednesday afternoon, in an act of petulant defiance, Pentagon reporters turned in their badges and left the building. This was not a brave stand for freedom; it was a temper tantrum thrown by individuals who believe they are above the rules that apply to everyone else. They would rather forfeit their access than promise not to handle material improperly, a stance that raises serious questions about their past practices and intentions.
The journalists who cover the Pentagon had to choose today between signing a pledge that would make it impossible to do independent journalism and turning in their Pentagon press badges. Almost all of them turned in their badges and left the building. pic.twitter.com/xqO3HTsY9A
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) October 15, 2025
CNN: "Reporters have been showing up at the Pentagon today & handing in their press passes."
"This is an extraordinary moment." pic.twitter.com/9sOFV53nef
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 15, 2025
The reaction from the liberal media was as hysterical and predictable as ever. CNN’s Brian Stelter, a prominent voice for the “fake news” industry, was seen hyperventilating over the development. “Reporters have been showing up at the Pentagon today and handing in their press passes,” Brian Stelter said, with his typical alarmism. “This is an extraordinary moment,” he declared, attempting to frame a simple enforcement of rules as an unprecedented attack on democracy. This is the same media apparatus that has spent years publishing classified information to the detriment of national security, and now they cry foul when finally held to a basic standard.
As of today, America no longer has a resident press corps at the Pentagon. Here is the statement from the Pentagon Press Association. Please read and share. pic.twitter.com/JU2JQpsmlF
— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) October 15, 2025
The Pentagon Press Association, a group that acts as a lobbying arm for these media interests, released a statement dripping with self-importance and melodrama. “Today, the Defense Department confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organization in America,” the statement began, deliberately using the loaded word “confiscated” to imply an authoritarian seizure rather than the consequence of their own refusal to comply. It continued, “It did this because reporters would not sign onto a new media policy over its implicit threat of criminalizing national security reporting and exposing those who sign it to potential prosecution.” This is a wilful mischaracterization of the policy. The goal is not to criminalize reporting, but to uphold the law and prevent the dissemination of unauthorized information, a practice that has become all too common.
The PPA’s statement then escalated its rhetoric, proclaiming, “The Pentagon Press Association’s members are still committed to reporting on the US military. But make no mistake, today, Oct. 15, 2025 is 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.” This is the typical “sky is falling” narrative they deploy whenever their unchecked influence is challenged. What they call a “dark day for press freedom” is, in reality, a bright new dawn for Pentagon security and accountability. The Trump administration remains committed to transparency, but it rightly distinguishes between responsible journalism and the reckless pursuit of headlines that can jeopardize American lives. This action is a clear signal that the era of the “deep state” and its media allies operating with impunity is over.
Sounds good.
KEEP them out.
Try that crap in China, Russia or N Korea.
If the press can’t be trusted to abide by rules designed to keep information from being leaked, then they have no business in the Pentagon.
You are exactly right! Now Karoline needs to do the same with the same corrupt bunch who show up for her briefings! They have abused their privilege to attend White House press briefings by twisting what has been reported, so they need to adhere to the same rules that Pete has set up for the Pentagon!
WHAT! The brown coats turn in their badges! It looks like the Pentagon boat leaking is being fixed.
I hated all the leaked info that gave the leftist the opportunity to twist it to their liking! That’s not journalism that’s called leakers. Good Job Pete fix those holes.
Go Pete! They haven’t been trustworthy for years.
Don’t you love the words “confiscated…from virtually every major media organization…” but say nothing about their leaks and bias of the past?
And a “dark day for press freedom…” is absolutely the opposite of the truth.
Let in the Independent Reporters!
Well, good. The liars and leakers have voluntarily left the building. What they did simply proves the fact that they are dishonest ‘journalists’. They should never be allowed to return, even if they do decide to sign the agreement. They’ve shown their true colors, and they wouldn’t abide by that agreement.
Doesn’t hurt my feelings any to see the liars and leakers give up their badges to do more lying and leaking. Lets hope that all the reporters that are leaking news, and in some cases making out of context reports are kicked out of the White House Press Core. Their badges need to be taken also, and all replacement reporters should be thoroughly vetted before being issued a badge.