Washington: Dozens of journalists covering the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) vacated their Pentagon offices on Wednesday. They returned their credentials in protest of new restrictions on press access.
The Defence Department had set a Tuesday deadline for reporters and media organisations. They needed to sign a new access agreement or lose credentials and workspace privileges. At least 30 major news outlets, including Reuters, declined to sign. They cited serious concerns over press freedom and independent reporting.
The new Pentagon policy requires journalists to acknowledge that they could be labelled security risks. Their press credentials could be revoked if they ask department personnel for classified or even certain unclassified information.
The Pentagon Press Association (PPA), representing over 100 outlets such as Reuters, The Associated Press, and The New York Times, condemned the move.
“This is a dark day for press freedom,” the association said in a statement, warning that the new rules undermine the U.S. government’s commitment to transparency, public accountability, and free speech.
Dozens of reporters from nearly all major news agencies cleared out their offices today at the Pentagon, before turning in their press badges together at 4:00pm, after every news outlet beside one, refused to sign a “pledge” Tuesday from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreeing to… pic.twitter.com/XphrVPGCEm
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 15, 2025Pentagon Defends the Policy
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the decision, insisting the policy only requires acknowledgement, not agreement.
“The policy does not ask for them to agree, just to acknowledge they understand what our policy is,” Parnell said Monday. “This has caused reporters to have a full-blown meltdown, crying victim online. We stand by our policy because it’s what’s best for our troops and national security.”
The Pentagon offered no additional comment on Wednesday. Reporters described the Pentagon’s usually busy press area as eerily quiet. They packed up their furniture, computers, soundproofing materials, and broadcast equipment.
“I’ve never seen that place not buzzing like a beehive,” said JJ Green, National Security Correspondent at WTOP, who turned in his press pass after two decades covering national defense.
Dozens of reporters turned in access badges and exited the Pentagon on Wednesday rather than agree to government-imposed restrictions on their work, pushing journalists who cover the American military further from the seat of its power. https://t.co/VrNPSnS0jc
— PBS News (@NewsHour) October 15, 2025Television outlets were given until Friday to remove their gear from the premises. Reporters stressed that they already adhere to strict security protocols.
“We’ve never had access to classified areas or anyone’s private office,” said Stephen Losey of Defense News. “No one would ever intentionally eavesdrop — that’s not how we operate.”
Some reporters say the restrictions will not deter them from covering the U.S. military.
“The irony is that Pentagon reporters aren’t discussing sensitive info in hallways,” said a PPA member, speaking anonymously. “We use encrypted apps like Signal for that.”
The policy marks the latest escalation in access limits under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host. Notably, Fox News itself is among the outlets that declined to sign the new rules.
Read: Pentagon Imposes New Media Restrictions
The development has fueled fears of growing hostility toward the press within U.S. defence institutions. This is particularly concerning at a time when transparency in military operations and policy decisions is under heightened scrutiny.
