Hegseth Tries New Approach To Plugging Pentagon Leaks: Threatening to Revoke Reporters' Credentials

"The Department of Defense will now require journalists at the Pentagon to sign a pledge promising not to use unauthorized information even if it is unclassified in their reporting, according to a Washington Post report that was published on Friday night. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been combating suspected leakers in his department, and at one point even threatened Pentagon employees with polygraph tests in an effort to ascertain who had been talking to the press."

"DoW remains committed to transparency to promote accountability and public trust, the document obtained by the Post said. The communique used the acronym for Department of War after President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the department. (Statutorily, however, a name change requires the approval of Congress.) However, DoW information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified."

"The document, which runs 17 pages, said media outlets must also sign agreements that restrict their movement within the building and agree that they will not acquire unauthorized information. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility, Hegseth tweeted on Friday. Wear a badge and follow the rules or go home. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said changes merely implement common-sense guidelines."

The Department of Defense now requires journalists at the Pentagon to sign a pledge not to use unauthorized information, including unclassified material, in reporting. Journalists who refuse to sign or who are deemed security risks face termination of their press credentials. Secretary Pete Hegseth has pursued suspected leakers and at one point threatened polygraph tests for Pentagon employees. A 17-page document mandates media agreements restricting movement within the building and requires public-release approval from an authorizing official for DoW information. Pentagon officials describe the measures as common-sense guidelines and have rotated some legacy outlets out of offices.

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