Pentagon revives press briefings amid Hegseth impeachment threat
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Maura Kearns/Axios
The U.S. Defense Department will likely break a half-year press briefing dry spell Tuesday.
Why it matters: It seems only the gravest circumstances can revive what were once regular Pentagon get-togethers.
- America is at war in the Middle East, with handfuls of troops dead and hundreds more injured.
- Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing articles of impeachment in Washington.
- And some of the White House's highest-profile projects, like Golden Dome, are at risk of funding failure.
Driving the news: Hegseth hinted at the upcoming press conference Monday, while traveling with media in Rhode Island.
- "I hope you all come loaded for bear with your questions," he said.
- The Pentagon later confirmed the logistics.
Catch up quick: The last briefing was held in early May — after badging rules changed, after the "new press corps" was credentialed and after the Iran war kicked off.
To put that time frame in perspective, over the course of six months:
- A baby can learn to roll around and sit up.
- A person can hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail.
- An MLB regular season can run its course.
Zoom out: A peculiar, offbeat podcast published last week by U.S. Central Command renewed questions about how, when and where the military is messaging and who, exactly, the intended audience is.
- Comments on the YouTube version are turned off. Clips on X, meanwhile, are getting shellacked.
The bottom line: "It's such a strong juxtaposition," one person familiar with Pentagon dynamics told Axios.
- "The president literally gives his personal number to reporters and takes calls. And certain military leaders are literally terrified of the press."
Go deeper: Pentagon names new acting Stars and Stripes publisher
