"The Defense Department has barred press photographers from briefings on the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military conflict with Iran after they published photos of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that his staff deemed 'unflattering,' according to two people familiar with the decision who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation."
"But after they published photos - which have broad reach because they are licensed by publications globally - members of Hegseth's staff told colleagues that they did not like the way that the secretary looked. Hegseth's aides decided to shut out photographers from the two subsequent briefings at the Pentagon, on March 4 and March 10, according to the two people familiar with the decision."
The Defense Department restricted press photographers from attending Pentagon briefings on the U.S.-Israeli military conflict with Iran after staff members objected to photographs of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth published by major outlets including the Associated Press, Reuters, and Getty Images. Following a March 2 press conference, Hegseth's aides deemed the published photos unflattering and subsequently barred photographers from two subsequent briefings on March 4 and March 10. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson justified the restriction by citing space constraints in the briefing room, though the decision reflects concerns about controlling the secretary's public image during a significant military engagement affecting global security and economic conditions.
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