Journalists covering the Pentagon will soon face significantly tighter security measures introduced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Friday.

Hegseth's new policies limit media access within the Department of Defense headquarters and mark a broader Trump administration push to tighten control over national security information and media interactions, as Fox News reports.

Under the new regulations, credentialed journalists are now restricted from entering most parts of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, unless they are officially approved and accompanied by an escort. Reporters will also be required to sign documents acknowledging their responsibility to safeguard sensitive and classified information, according to defense officials.

Press access limited in wake of leak probe

These measures follow a recent internal investigation into unauthorized leaks, which led to the termination of three Pentagon officials last month. The investigation began in March and is believed to have influenced the administration’s new approach to press oversight within defense agencies.

In statements released through both a formal memo and public remarks, Hegseth emphasized the Defense Department’s obligation to protect classified material. He stated that while transparency remains a priority, the risk posed by leaked intelligence requires urgent action to preserve operational safety and national interests.

“The unauthorized disclosure of sensitive details can jeopardize the lives of U.S. service members,” Hegseth said. He described defending classified national security information as an “unwavering imperative” for military and defense institutions.

Legacy media ousted from Pentagon offices

Legacy news organizations such as the New York Times, NPR, CNN, and NBC News have been removed from their dedicated Pentagon office spaces. These outlets were informed they would now be part of a new media rotation system designed by the Department of Defense.

The rotation initiative, according to a Pentagon statement, is meant to provide an opportunity for a broader range of outlets to serve as resident press members. The Pentagon included media sources more favorable to the Trump administration -- including the Daily Caller, Breitbart, One America News Network, and the New York Post -- in the inaugural group of rotating press participants.

In another change, all members of the Pentagon press corps will soon receive newly designed identification badges labeling them clearly as members of the media. Officials said the updated credentials will help security personnel enforce strict access rules more effectively throughout the facility.

Memo outlines penalties for rule-breakers

A memo distributed by Hegseth’s office noted that additional security plans are forthcoming. It warned that reporters who fail to adhere to the new requirements may have their press badges suspended or revoked entirely.

“Failure by any member of the resident or visiting press to comply with these control measures will result in further restrictions,” the memo stated. It also detailed the Department’s intention to monitor and scrutinize newly issued press credentials more closely moving forward.

The Pentagon Press Association, which represents the collective media presence at the Defense Department, criticized the decision in a public statement. The group described the rules as a direct challenge to long-established norms ensuring press freedom and access to public institutions.

Press group pushes back against restrictions

The organization highlighted that for decades, journalists have had consistent access to unclassified areas of the Pentagon under both Democratic and Republican leadership. That access remained uninterrupted after crises such as the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, without raising operational security concerns from past defense leaders.

“The decision is said to be based on worries about operational security,” the association said, “but the press corps has had a presence in publicly accessible spaces for decades without objection.”

The Department of Defense has not responded directly to the press association’s remarks but reiterated in public materials that safeguarding intelligence must be prioritized even as transparency is maintained.

Leak crackdown expands to other agencies

The new restrictions align with increased federal intelligence protection efforts seen across multiple U.S. agencies. Polygraph examinations are now reportedly being used as part of investigations into national security leaks.

Some personnel at the Department of Homeland Security have been warned they could lose their jobs if they refuse to take lie detector tests as part of these inquiries. These screenings are considered by White House officials to be a crucial tool in determining the source of information leaks.

The Trump administration has signaled repeatedly that leaking classified information to the press will not be tolerated. In a recent statement, the White House confirmed President Trump’s view that personnel who are found responsible for leaking internal details must face disciplinary consequences.