37 outlets refuse to sign new Pentagon policy

Press outlets that cover the Pentagon, the United States Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense), refused to sign the new coverage policy imposed by the Donald Trump government.

The deadline for signing the document establishing the changes came to an end this Tuesday (14). Only one outlet, One America News, signed on.

At least 37 other press outlets refused to sign the document recognizing the new rules.

The list even includes Fox News, a channel known for supporting the president and for which current Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was a commentator.

The Pentagon had informed that failure to sign the document would result in the suspension of reporters’ access badges. It is still uncertain whether the government will follow through with the plan, as practically all media outlets have refused to sign.

On Monday (13), a series of vehicles published statements stating that they would not sign the document because it violates the rights guaranteed by the first amendment of the Constitution, which deals with freedom of expression and the press.

At the time, Pete Hegseth shared the post in X magazine from The Atlantic, The New York Times and the Washington Post with an emoji of a hand saying goodbye.

👋 https://t.co/kBdhMyxrnB

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 13, 2025

The Pentagon Press Association condemned the new rules imposed by the Pentagon as soon as they were published. In a statement, the entity stated that covering Defense issues in a journalistic manner is a right guaranteed by the first amendment of the American Constitution.

According to the organization, “the policies appear to have been designed to stifle press freedom.” They also claim that the standards have the potential to lead to legal action against professionals “for simply doing their job”.

“The policy sends an unprecedented message of intimidation to everyone within the Department of Defense, warning against any unapproved interactions with the press and even suggesting that it is criminal to speak without express permission – which it clearly is not.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated on Monday (13) that signing the document does not mean that the outlets agree with the new policy, only that they understand it. He also criticized the stance of press professionals, saying that they had victimized themselves online.

What changed in the coverage rules

At the end of September, the Pentagon had already announced changes to the institution’s coverage rules. At the time, it was informed that the Department of Defense would need to approve the publication of any journalistic material, whether containing privileged information or not.

According to the rules released in September, the credentials of all journalists would be replaced with new ones and any journalist who did not sign a document agreeing to the new rules would be at risk of losing access to the Pentagon.

Last week, a new document with guidelines was released.

This time, the body went back on the need to agree with the rules, but still requires professionals to sign a document saying that they “understand” the rules.

Furthermore, the new government document states that the press area inside the Pentagon will be transferred.

Journalists at the Pentagon Press Association said they were caught off guard by this change and argue that the change will leave them isolated.

Previously, in May, the Trump administration restricted the work and movement of journalists at the Pentagon. At that time, the rules included limiting circulation in common areas and imposing mandatory escorts.

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Justification and counterarguments

The justification used by the Department of Defense for the change is to protect secret information. In the government’s view, access by journalists could cause a national security crisis.

The Pentagon Press Association counters the argument by stating that reporters always wore identification credentials and never circulated through restricted areas.

“The idea that reporters are hanging around offices where they are not allowed is simply absurd,” says a statement released by the organization last week.

One of the most striking things to me is that for decades, even amid the height of GWOT, Pentagon leaders saw the value and need of a standing press corps.

But now @SecWar is making multiple untrue claims about us and our work as part of his efforts to roll back that presence. https://t.co/yQyVz24lW3

— Konstantin Toropin (@KToropin) October 8, 2025

“Every administration since Eisenhower (in the 1950s) – including the first Trump administration – has allowed the same level of access,” recall the journalists. “This press access has never caused the type of national security crisis feared by the department’s current leadership.”