Major outlets denied access to exclusive Pentagon briefings this week, reaching millions

Major news organizations that typically reach millions of readers are being excluded from exclusive briefings with Pentagon officials this week. Instead, these sessions are reserved for media outlets hand-picked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The timing is notable, as both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees have launched investigations into U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific.

Hegseth's office says the briefings are designed as orientation events for a newly credentialed press group, which largely includes conservative outlets that agreed to follow his updated rules for reporting. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson is scheduled to brief reporters on Tuesday, with Hegseth appearing on Wednesday. Many mainstream media organizations declined to participate this fall rather than accept the new regulations, which the Pentagon claims are common sense measures intended to prevent the release of classified information. Critics argue that agreeing to these rules would mean reporting only approved news.

Even without direct access, journalists continue to report from outside the Pentagon. The Washington Post recently noted that Hegseth authorized a second strike in September on a boat carrying suspected drug smugglers after some targets survived the initial operation. President Donald Trump later said Hegseth denied ordering the second strike, which some observers described as potentially a war crime if true. Outlets such as The Post, Associated Press, CNN, Reuters, and Newsmax requested special access to attend question-and-answer sessions, but were refused.

Denying briefings to credible, nonpartisan news organizations that regularly cover the Pentagon undermines transparency for the American public, who fund the department with hundreds of billions annually, stated Marc Lavine, North America regional director for Agence France-Presse, whose request was also denied. The press office said Wilsons session is part of a credentialed press only orientation and did not clarify if future briefings would follow the same rules. Historically, Defense Department briefings were regular and routine, but only a few have occurred since the start of Trumps second term. AFP reported it was denied access even to livestreams of these briefings.

Members of the new Pentagon press group shared images online Monday displaying their credentials. Among them was Laura Loomer, an ally of Trump, seated at a previously occupied Pentagon press desk. She noted, The Washington Post @washingtonpost and Dan Lamothe @DanLamothe used to occupy this desk inside the Pentagon Press room. Now it's mine! Lamothe responded, May it treat you well on your occasional trips to Washington, Laura. I assume itll sit empty much of the time, as it has for weeks now.

Alexandra Ingersoll and former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz recently received Pentagon credentials for One America News. Ingersoll is expected to report live this week, following her November 20 interview with Hegseth. Rob Bluey, president and executive editor of The Daily Signal, plans to attend briefings alongside reporter Bradley Devin, pending final credential approvals. Bluey acknowledged the need for credential rules, noting that his outlet had previously faced access restrictions. Generally, I think that when government agencies err on the side of transparency it benefits the American public, he said.

David Bauder covers the intersection of media and entertainment for the Associated Press. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.

Author: Sophia Brooks