Press groups denounce Pentagon's new media rules
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and President Trump in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday. Photo: Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
The Department of Defense announced a new media policy on Monday, three days after a federal judge ruled Trump administration restrictions on Pentagon journalists were a First Amendment violation.
The big picture: The Pentagon said in a memorandum announcing the changes that it's complying with the ruling in the New York Times lawsuit case, but press groups accused the administration of placing fresh restrictions on journalists with the new policy.
Zoom in: Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced three new changes to the press policy in a statement saying the Defense Department "disagrees with the decision and is pursuing an appeal."
- The Pentagon Press Association said in a Monday evening statement the new Pentagon rules are "a clear violation of the letter and spirit" of the court ruling and it's "consulting with our legal counsel and will advise members once this process is complete."
Here's what to know about the Pentagon's new press policy:
"Correspondents Corridor" shut
The Pentagon closed the area known as "the Correspondents' Corridor" with immediate effect.
- The Defense Department determined following an assessment "that unescorted access to the Pentagon cannot be responsibly maintained without the ability to screen credential holders for security risks," Parnell said.
Pentagon to move press to new annex
A "new press workspace will be established in an annex facility outside the Pentagon and will be available when ready," per the memo.
- The Pentagon said it would notify all Pentagon Facility Access Credential holders when the new workspace is operational.
New "escorted access only" rule
All journalists will be required an "escort by authorized Department personnel" to access the Pentagon per Parnell's statement.
- "Credential holders will continue to have access to the Pentagon for scheduled press briefings, press conferences, and interviews arranged through public affairs offices."
What they're saying: The National Press Club referred to the Iran war in a statement posted to X that noted at a time when the U.S. "is engaged in active military conflict, the public depends on journalists being able to observe, report and ask questions freely."
- Eliminating the Correspondents Corridor and "requiring escorted access would sharply limit how journalists gather news, build sources and cover one of the most powerful institutions in government — reducing what the public is able to see and understand about decisions made in its name," the statement added.
- "Independent reporting on the U.S. military is not optional. It is essential to accountability, transparency and public trust. Any policy that curtails that access should concern everyone who values a free and informed society."
- Representatives for the Pentagon referred Axios to Parnell's statement when contacted for comment on the press groups' statements.
Background: Last week's court ruling blocked the Pentagon from imposing a policy that required reporters to sign a pledge committing to its rules to maintain their press credentials, which greatly reduced the number of journalists from major news outlets from participating in press briefings.
- Most outlets, including the conservative-leaning Fox News and Newsmax, refused to sign the pledge.
Thought bubble, via Axios' Sara Fischer: The Pentagon's move to adhere to the law while still restricting journalists is reminiscent of similar action that the White House took in response to AP refusing to change its style guide to align with the President Trump's executive order on the Gulf of America.
- The White House removed wires from the rotation altogether, though it later allowed AP to return to return to cover the president. In this case, the Pentagon is shuttering office space.
