Journalists Quit Pentagon Rather Than Agree to Hegseth’s Coverage Rules

Dozens of reporters resigned their Pentagon access on Wednesday rather than agree to new restrictions imposed by the Defense Department, a rare collective protest by journalists covering the US military.

Images of journalists leaving the Pentagon are unlikely to sway supporters of President Donald Trump.

The rules were described by the administration as “common sense,” but press organizations called them a blow to press freedom, David Bauder and Laurie Kellman reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Under the new policy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth required reporters to seek prior approval for any material — classified or not — before publication. Those violating the rule risked expulsion from the Pentagon press corps.

The rules were described by the administration as “common sense,” but press organizations called them a blow to press freedom, David Bauder and Laurie Kellman reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Under the new policy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth required reporters to seek prior approval for any material — classified or not — before publication. Those violating the rule risked expulsion from the Pentagon press corps.

The rules were described by the administration as “common sense,” but press organizations called them a blow to press freedom, David Bauder and Laurie Kellman reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Under the new policy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth required reporters to seek prior approval for any material — classified or not — before publication. Those violating the rule risked expulsion from the Pentagon press corps.

As the 4 p.m. deadline approached, boxes of documents lined Pentagon corridors as reporters packed up desks and carried out chairs, printers, books, and personal items.

Around 40 to 50 journalists left together after handing in their badges.

“It’s sad, but I’m also really proud of the press corps that we stuck together,” said Nancy Youssef of The Atlantic, who has covered the Pentagon since 2007. “I took a map of the Middle East out to my car.”

It remains unclear how the new rules will affect military coverage, though major news outlets vowed to continue reporting “from outside the building.”

Images of journalists leaving the Pentagon are unlikely to sway supporters of President Donald Trump, many of whom have long backed his efforts to curb the media. Trump has been involved in court battles with

The New York Times, CBS News, ABC News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Associated Press over the past year.