‘Follow the Rules or Go Home’

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced new restrictions Friday on how members of the press may operate inside the Pentagon, significantly tightening rules for access and reporting.

The measures require all journalists to work through established public affairs channels, display press credentials at all times, and accept that possession of unauthorized information may result in the loss of press credentials.

The policy, laid out in a memo released Friday, follows restrictions introduced earlier this year.

In May, Hegseth directed the Pentagon to impose tighter controls on press activity after a series of leaks he said endangered operations.

We’re announcing additional credentialing procedures for press at the Pentagon in the interest of national security. pic.twitter.com/2fQA4z7AsO

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) May 23, 2025

The new regulations cover not only classified national security information, known as CNSI, but also controlled unclassified information, or CUI.

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That category includes a wide range of materials.

For example, planning documents for the Army’s 250th anniversary parade in June — such as how many tanks would participate in the event viewed by President Donald Trump — were initially labeled CUI.

Under the new rules, information designated as CUI is also barred from public release.

Reporters accustomed to broad access within the Pentagon will also see limits on where they can move.

In past years, credentialed journalists were permitted to walk throughout most of the building, outside of secured areas.

Now, according to Pentagon officials, escorts will be required for reporters seeking access to restricted sections.

“Up until now, the press could wander all around the Pentagon with no oversight,” spokesman Sean Parnell said in May when earlier restrictions were announced.

“Even outside of sensitive/classified areas. So moving forward, they’ll need an escort to access those areas. They still have access to the entire defense press office, the press secretary & my office, as well as much of the rest of the building. These are pragmatic changes to protect operational security & ultimately brings the Pentagon in line with other government buildings.”

Up until now, the press could wander all around the Pentagon with no oversight. Even outside of sensitive/classified areas.
So moving forward, they’ll need an escort to access those areas.
They still have access to the entire defense press office, the press secretary & my office,… https://t.co/usJjF6HBSs

— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) May 23, 2025

Hegseth explained the reasoning behind the new requirements, stating, “The ‘press’ does not run the Pentagon — the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home.”

The “press” does not run the Pentagon — the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home. pic.twitter.com/nkG1m6bW3z

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 19, 2025

Media outlets have raised concerns about the implications of the changes.

The Washington Post described the requirement as a demand that journalists pledge not to obtain unauthorized material.

NPR reported that Hegseth was requiring a new “pledge” for Pentagon reporters, and Politico noted that access would be limited unless journalists agreed not to publish certain information.

Pentagon officials, however, said the restrictions are focused on activities inside the building.

Reporters remain free to publish information obtained through other means, but under the new policy, access to the Pentagon itself will require adherence to the rules.

The restrictions will also make it more difficult for informal exchanges to take place inside the building.

Reporters will no longer be able to freely walk hallways, encounter staff, or overhear conversations.

Those conditions, combined with visible badge requirements and designated press areas, are expected to limit unsanctioned contact between reporters and Pentagon personnel.

Hegseth has emphasized operational security as the driving factor behind the measures.

With leaks continuing to pose challenges for the Department of Defense, officials said the new rules are intended to bring the Pentagon in line with other secure federal facilities where press activity is tightly controlled.

Nadeau’s implementation of the restrictions marks a shift in the longstanding relationship between the Pentagon and the defense press corps, where open access has historically been viewed as part of routine coverage of the U.S. military.

Now, with the new rules in effect, Pentagon reporters face tighter oversight and potential penalties for violations.

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