- Hegseth’s new Pentagon press restrictions bar unescorted access and allow credential revocations, prompting rare bipartisan media condemnation.
- Critics warn limited access amid a prolonged government shutdown risks hiding security issues, furlough impacts, and public-safety failures.
- Major outlets, Fox included, and legal advocates argue the policy threatens First Amendment protections and could face congressional and legal challenges.
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host turned Trump appointee, is facing a stunning rebuke from his old network, which joined a coalition of major media outlets on Monday, October 13, 2025, to condemn his new Pentagon press access restrictions.
The policy, unveiled last week, bars journalists from large swaths of the Pentagon without escorts and allows Hegseth to revoke credentials for unapproved inquiries, a move The Daily Beast labeled a “crackdown” that even Fox News called “without precedent” and a threat to “core journalistic protections.”
As the government shutdown enters its 14th day, amplifying the dangers of limited press access, critics warn this could stifle transparency at a time when public oversight is desperately needed.
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The backlash erupted after Hegseth, appointed in September 2025, rolled out the restrictions following a September 30 military meeting where he promised to “raise standards” and end a “poisonous culture of risk aversion.”
The new rules require journalists to sign a document affirming limited access, a step The New York Times, The Associated Press, and Newsmax rejected on Monday.
Fox News, Hegseth’s former employer where he co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend, signed a joint statement with these outlets, declaring, “The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections.”
The network’s shift highlights the policy’s divisive impact, even among Trump allies.
The dangers of limited press access are stark amid the shutdown chaos. With 800,000 federal workers furloughed and TSA lines at LAX hitting hours, independent reporting is crucial to expose mismanagement.
The Washington Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray, told Newsweek on October 14, “The Pentagon’s efforts undermine the First Amendment,” noting that restricted access could hide critical details—like the August 2025 CDC shooting or current furlough impacts.
Congress.gov cites Thomas Jefferson’s 1786 letter, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost,” underscoring a historical consensus now at risk.
A Crackdown Rooted in Controversy
Hegseth’s policy builds on his September 30 announcement of changes, including applying “highest male standards” to all combat roles.
But the press restrictions, allowing him to block reporters for unapproved questions, have drawn the most fire.
AP News reported that four outlets lost desks in January 2025 under this regime, replaced by newer media, a move Hegseth defended with a waving emoji on X when The Washington Post reposted its critique.
His office declined comment, but a Pentagon source told Reuters on October 13 that the rules aim to “protect sensitive information.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. The shutdown, now in its 14th day, has furloughed key Pentagon staff, raising security concerns.
Limited press access could obscure these risks, echoing the 2019 shutdown when unreported controller fatigue led to near-misses.
The Southern Poverty Law Center on October 10 noted a 30% spike in anti-immigrant incidents since the shutdown began, tied to unmonitored federal operations—exactly the kind of story a muzzled press might miss.
Fox News’ pivot is personal for Hegseth. The network, where he worked until January 2025, now aligns with critics like The Times’ Washington bureau chief Richard Stevenson, who told AP, “Taxpayers pay nearly $1 trillion annually to the military; the public has a right to know.”
This marks a rare break, given Fox’s usual Trump support, and reflects broader unease. It seems now more than ever both conservatives and democrats are fighting against perceived signs of authoritarian rule.
The policy follows Hegseth’s restrictive measures, including a January desk purge, signaling a pattern of control.
Broader Implications and Legal Pushback
The crackdown’s dangers extend beyond logistics. The Hill on October 14 highlighted how restricted access could shield controversial moves, like Hegseth’s “No More Walking on Eggshells Policy” to overhaul equal opportunity complaints, from scrutiny.
Congress.gov’s October 2025 update on the Daniel Pearl Freedom of Press Act stresses training Foreign Service Officers on press freedom, a norm Hegseth’s rules defy.
Legal challenges are also brewing. The ACLU on October 9 demanded removal of a related DHS video, citing First Amendment breaches, a precedent that could apply here.
Public reaction is fierce. X posts like @PressFreedomNow’s “Hegseth’s gag order is a danger to democracy” reflect alarm.
A Gallup poll on October 4 pegged congressional approval at 18%, with Pew Research on October 5 showing 62% blaming GOP dysfunction—sentiments that could worsen without press oversight.
Protests outside the Pentagon drew 100 journalists chanting for access.
The administration’s silence—Trump was in Israel on Monday—leaves Hegseth exposed.
With the shutdown unresolved, the press crackdown could deepen distrust.
The Hill suggests Hegseth may face a Senate hearing, with Democrats like Sen. Patty Murray demanding answers.
The danger is clear: A silenced press risks unchecked power, especially now where freedom of speech has been challenged by the U.S. government.
Also Read: Republicans Face Growing Backlash as Voters Blame Them for Govt. Shutdown
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