WASHINGTON – The Trump management is escalating restrictions on media access to the Department of Defence, a move critics say threatens autonomous reporting on military activities. Recent actions include barring some news organizations from the Pentagon and requiring journalists to be accompanied by government escorts, signaling a broader effort to control the narrative surrounding U.S. military operations.
These measures, implemented beginning in February 2025, represent the latest in a series of steps taken to increase pressure on media organizations. In February, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News moderator, expelled four media organizations from their Pentagon offices, replacing them with publications considered more aligned with right-wing viewpoints. Hegseth subsequently ordered in May that journalists be escorted by official companions throughout much of the Pentagon building.
A recent internal memorandum from the Ministry referred to the department as the “Department of War,” reflecting a directive from President Trump to rename the agency-a change that requires congressional approval. The administration’s actions raise concerns about transparency and the public’s right to know about the activities of the armed forces. Observers anticipate further debate in congress regarding the extent of media access to the Pentagon and the potential implications for freedom of the press.
