The Biden-era Pentagon is facing major backlash after reporters from some of the nation’s largest news outlets turned in their press badges rather than comply with a new, controversial security policy pushed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
The dramatic standoff unfolded this week after Hegseth issued a firm deadline to journalists covering the Pentagon. They were told they had until Tuesday at 5 p.m. to sign a sweeping new agreement—or lose their access to the building. The rule, according to officials, forbids reporters from obtaining or using any “unauthorized material,” even if the information isn’t classified.
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanded that reporters agree by 5 p.m. Tuesday to a new policy, under which they would need to pledge to not obtain or use any unauthorized material, even if the information is unclassified — or hand over their press badges in the next 24 hours,” The Hill reported on Tuesday.
This wasn’t a request. It was an ultimatum. And by Wednesday afternoon, Pentagon journalists made their choice—they turned in their badges and walked out.
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