Pentagon reporters turned in their badges after they refused to sign Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s new security rule.
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanded that reporters agree by 5 p.m. Tuesday to a new policy, under which they would need to pledge to not obtain or use any unauthorized material, even if the information is unclassified — or hand over their press badges in the next 24 hours,” The Hill reported on Tuesday.
By Wednesday afternoon, Pentagon reporters turned in their badges.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Journalists begin leaving Pentagon after refusing to sign Trump administration agreements on rules of access.
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) October 15, 2025
The reporters turned in their badges and left the building.
The journalists who cover the Pentagon had to choose today between signing a pledge that would make it impossible to do independent journalism and turning in their Pentagon press badges. Almost all of them turned in their badges and left the building. pic.twitter.com/xqO3HTsY9A
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) October 15, 2025
CNN’s Brian Stelter hyperventilated over the development.
“Reporters have been showing up at the Pentagon today and handing in their press passes,” Brian Stelter said.
“This is an extraordinary moment,” he said.
CNN: “Reporters have been showing up at the Pentagon today & handing in their press passes.”
“This is an extraordinary moment.” pic.twitter.com/9sOFV53nef
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 15, 2025
The Pentagon Press Association released a statement.
“Today, the Defense Department confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organization in America. It did this because reporters would not sign onto a new media policy over its implicit threat of criminalizing national security reporting and exposing those who sign it to potential prosecution,” the PPA said.
“The Pentagon Press Association’s members are still committed to reporting on the US military. But make no mistake, today, Oct. 15, 2025 is a dark day for press freedom that raises concerns about a weakening US commitment to transparency in governance, to public accountability at the Pentagon and to free speech for all,” the statement said.
As of today, America no longer has a resident press corps at the Pentagon. Here is the statement from the Pentagon Press Association. Please read and share. pic.twitter.com/JU2JQpsmlF
— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) October 15, 2025