US news outlets, including MAGA channel, refuse to sign Pentagon’s new press access rules: All you need to know
The policy that was presented by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has received criticism from across the media aisle and a deadline has been set for news organisations to sign the decree by Tuesday 5pm.
October 14, 2025 12:12 PM IST
First published on: Oct 14, 2025 at 11:47 AM IST
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President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, in Washington, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi look on. (AP Photo)
Several leading news organisations, including New York Times, Associated Press and conservative pro-Trump channel Newsmax network on Monday objected to a US Defence Department’s new policy that requires them to pledge they will not obtain unauthorised materials and reporters movement would be restricted to certain areas in the Pentagon unless accompanied by an official.
The policy that was presented by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth last month has received criticism from across the media aisle and a deadline has been set for news organisations to sign the decree by Tuesday at 5 pm or have 24 hours to turn in their press credentials, meaning the Trump administration would evict their reporters from Pentagon.
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Among other news outlets that joined the group in not signing the policy, includes The Washington Post, The Atlantic and Reuters. The news outlets argue that the defence department’s policy tends to punish them for regular news collection that is protected by the First Amendment.
Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right. So, here is @DeptofWar press credentialing FOR DUMMIES:
✅ Press no longer roams free
✅ Press must wear visible badge
✅ Credentialed press no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts
A statement released by Reuters said, “We also steadfastly believe in the press protections afforded by the US Constitution, the unrestricted flow of information and journalism that serves the public interest without fear or favor. The Pentagon’s new restrictions erode these fundamental values.”
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reacted to New York Times’ statement on X by adding a hand waving emoji. Hegseth’s team has said that reporters who don’t acknowledge the policy in writing by Tuesday, must return their press badges required to enter the Pentagon and clear out their work spaces as well, AP reported.
A body that represents beat reporters, the Pentagon Press Association, also criticised the new defence department policy, stating that the decree gags Pentagon employees and threatens retaliation against reporters who are looking to gather information that has not been pre-approved by the department.
Newsmax, whose journalists have generally been supportive of President Donald Trump’s administration, has also said that the requirements made by the defence department is “unnecessary” and that the Pentagon “will review the matter further”.
Defending the move, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the rules establish common sense media procedures. “The policy does not ask for them to agree, just to acknowledge that they understand what our policy is,” Parnell added.
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President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, in Washington, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi look on. (AP Photo) 
