Pentagon Announces New Members of Press Corps Amid Controversy

The controversy around the media limitations at the Pentagon has taken a new turn. Several conservative media outlets confirmed on Wednesday that they will be in compliance with a new press policy recently put in place by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Read on for the latest details about how the Department of Defense will now be covered by the media.

Conservative Media Signs On to Cover Pentagon Despite Restrictions

Pentagon officials made waves earlier in the month when they announced a new media policy, rejected by almost all of the country's legacy news organizations. Reporters from these major outlets turned in their press corps badges in response to the new restrictions as a sign of protest. However, a new batch of reporters is now in place, raising questions about the objectivity of how the Department of Defense (DoD) will be covered under the recent restrictions.

According to the Pentagon, the new press corps includes representatives from Human Events, the Gateway Pundit, Frontlines by Turning Point USA, and the National Pulse. Other journalists who have signed on to cover the DoD include podcaster Tim Pool and the outlet run by “MyPillow” CEO Mike Lindell. These individuals are known for their conservative views and favorable coverage of the Trump administration.

Some of the outlets do not try to hide their political views. For instance, the National Pulse features a picture of President Donald Trump on their "about us" page.

The Wednesday announcement came less than one week after several reporters handed back access badges, refusing to comply with the new restrictions. Reporters from The Associated Press, CNN, The New York Times, and the Washington Post all cited that they were unhappy with the rules that require Hegseth's approval before covering news coming out of the Pentagon.

Hegseth’s spokesman, Sean Parnell, defended the decision, calling the new press corps the "next generation." Parnell said that over 60 journalists agreed to restrictions, including 26 of the journalists who had previously covered the Pentagon.

Despite the slew of conservative outlets joining in with the crop of reporters, there are some notable holdouts from this side of the political aisle. For example, both Fox News and Newsmax were among the organizations that refused to comply.

Unrest on Both Sides of the Issue Continues

The DoD is not happy with the media departures. In a post on X, Parnell referred to those who left as "self-righteous media." Parnell went on to say that Americans are abandoning getting their news from "activists who masquerade as journalists in the mainstream media," noting that the Pentagon is looking forward to beginning new relationships with the latest iteration of the agency's press corps.

The media that made the decision to turn in their badges did not simply stop covering the military. Instead, they are having to work harder on stories as a result of the limited access. Critics of the decision said that the decision to restrict access is also hurting military families who are desperate for information delivered in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, Trump has offered his support to Hegseth regarding the new policy. The president has been vocal about his opposition to media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, going so far as to sue them for negative coverage.

It is also being reported that some of the newly added outlets covering the Pentagon will need to beef up their staffing. For example, Just the News posted an online ad recently noting that they need a new Pentagon reporter.

How the shift in policy concerning media access at the Pentagon will translate to coverage is yet to be seen. What media experts are certain about is that there will be a line of demarcation between outlets that have agreed to the new restrictions and those that have to seek their sources from outside of the internal bubble.

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