Department of War Demands Journalists Only Release Authorized Reports

Pete Hegseth’s “Department of War” has issued new rules for the media, demanding a pledge that journalists who cover the Pentagon not gather any information, including unclassified reports, that hasn’t been authorized for release.

Those who do not obey the rules will lose their press credentials.

According to the document, journalists who report on news outside of the explicit commands of the Pentagon could be deemed “a security or safety risk” and have their credentials stripped.

NEW: The Pentagon told journalists it will require them to pledge they won’t gather any information — even unclassified — that hasn’t been expressly authorized for release, and will revoke the press credentials of those who do not obey. @washingtonpost.com

Scott Nover (@scottnover.bsky.social) 2025-09-19T22:57:30.181Z

The National Press Club released a statement on the new requirement.

This is a direct assault on independent journalism at the very place where independent scrutiny matters most: the U.S. military.

Read the entire statement here.