In the USA, something remarkable – some say alarming – has happened around the Department of Defense when it comes to press freedom. Reporters from more than two dozen news outlets and independent defense journalists, who previously reported directly from the Pentagon, vacated their desks on October 14 and 15 and turned in their press credentials.
Boxes of files, signs and camera equipment were carried out, and some took one last selfie in front of the famous Ministry of Defense sign – a symbolic farewell.
Former F-14 weapons system officer and later V-22 press spokesman Ward “Mooch” Carroll – now a journalist himself and quoted several times by Militär Aktuell – spoke with Brad Peniston, long-time Pentagon editor of Defense One. Their Youtube post has the telling title: “The Real Truth Behind the Pentagon Press Corps’ Massive Walkout.”
“A dark day for freedom of the press”
The scandal was triggered by a 21-page new version of the access guidelinesthat Defense Minister Pete Hegseth published on 6 October. Many of the reporters, some of whom had been accredited for decades, refused to sign the new conditions.
Robert Burns, Associated Press correspondent and president of the Pentagon Press Association, said, “Today the Defense Department revoked the credentials of virtually every major media outlet – a black day for press freedom and government accountability.”
The Pentagon defends the measure as “common sense”. Reporters would still have to undergo security checks, pass through metal detectors and wear their IDs visibly. Hegseth emphasized on X (formerly Twitter): “Access to the Pentagon is a privilege, not a right. The press no longer walks free here.”
“Leaks” as a criminal offense
Particularly controversial is a passage that obliges journalists not to pursue so-called “leaks” from Pentagon employees – otherwise they could face criminal charges. Even unclassified but “leaked” information about the US armed forces will be considered potentially criminal in future.
It says: “Any request for employees to disclose classified information is not considered protected activity. Reporters who pose a security risk will lose their badges.”
Media are also supposed to coordinate sensitive information with the Pentagon press office before publication – critics see this as a form of pre-censorship.
Conservative media also protest
Remarkably, even pro-government broadcasters such as Fox News, Newsmax and The Daily Caller refused to give their approval. Newsmax called the guidelines “unnecessary and excessive” and called for a review.
Robert Burns warned: “‘Request leaks’ is a code word for the criminalization of normal journalistic work. A free press is essential to hold the government to account – especially in the defense sector.”
15 reporters stay – for now
Around 100 journalists returned their accreditation and around 15 accepted the new rules. Minister Hegseth and President Donald Trump are sticking to the reform. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell commented smugly on X: “The self-righteous media have decided to deport themselves – they won’t be missed.”
The self-righteous media chose to self-deport from the Pentagon. That’s their right — but also their loss. They will not be missed.
The Department of War will make an announcement soon regarding the next generation of the Pentagon press corps.
Stay tuned. The best is yet to…
– Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) October 16, 2025
He announced that he would soon introduce the “next generation” of accredited reporters. An internal document, which was promptly leaked to the Washington Post, shows: The dispute between the Pentagon and the press is probably only just beginning.
Click here for more reports on the US armed forces.
