Pentagon Bars Reporters From Press Office as 2 Court Rulings Fault Its Media Restrictions
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 1
Pentagon Bars Reporters From Press Office as 2 Court Rulings Fault Its Media Restrictions
9 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 1
The Pentagon has declared its press office a classified area, cutting reporters off from a workspace long used for questions, interviews and scheduled meetings with defense officials.
The redesignation follows a broader clampdown under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose latest access rules have already triggered protests and a pending New York Times lawsuit.
Joel Valdez said the move does not signal reduced transparency, even as the office had not been a place where classified information was discussed and speechwriters handling classified material were moved there.
2 federal court rulings have already found earlier Pentagon press guidelines violated the First Amendment, but the Trump administration is appealing as it continues tightening access.
When a press office becomes a classified zone, how can citizens verify the government's claims on national security?
Are First Amendment protections for the press strong enough to withstand the government's expanding national security claims?