News Orgs Refuse to Sign New Pentagon Press Policy Ahead of Hegseth’s Deadline

National news organizations across the ideological spectrum are refusing to sign the Department of Defense’s new, more restrictive policy for Pentagon press access, which is set to take effect Tuesday.

As of Monday evening, The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN, Newsmax, The Atlantic, The Guardian and The Washington Times have said they will not sign the new agreement. Fox News has yet to announce whether or not it would meet the deadline.

The new policy, introduced in late-September, was loosened last week after two weeks of negotiations with news organizations. The restrictive policy places strict limits on how journalists can interact with military personnel, requiring prior approval for interviews and on-the-record conversations. Access to the building has become highly restricted without an approved escort, and reporters must sign non-disclosure agreements that require them to agree to not publish unapproved information, even if it is unclassified.

Unauthorized reporting can result in access being revoked or being suspended.

In a statement posted to social media on Sunday, New York Times Washington Bureau Chief Richard Stevenson said the revised press policy threatens to punish journalists “for ordinary news gathering protected by the First Amendment.”

“Since the policy was first announced, we have expressed concerns that it constrains how journalists can report on the U.S. military,” Stevenson continued. “The public has a right to know how the government and military are operating. The Times is dedicated to pursuing the public interest through deep, fair reporting and an unwavering pursuit of the facts.”

Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray said on Monday that “the proposed restrictions undercut First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on gathering and publishing information.”

“We will continue to vigorously and fairly report on the policies and positions of the Pentagon and officials across the government,” Murray continued.

Hegseth reposted the New York Times’ statement with a hand-waving emoji on Monday.

“Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right. So, here is @DeptofWar press credentialing FOR DUMMIES,” Hegseth said in a separate post. “Press no longer roams free. Press must wear visible badge. Credentialed press no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts.”

The Pentagon Press Association, whose membership includes Reuters, the Associated Press and ABC News, spoke out against the restrictive policy on Monday. Other journalism associations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, shared similar messages in opposition.

“The policy conveys an unprecedented message of intimidation to everyone within the DoD, warning against any unapproved interactions with the press and even suggesting it’s criminal to speak without express permission -- which plainly, it is not,” the Pentagon Press Association wrote in a statement.

“We believe that the requirements are unnecessary and onerous and hope that the Pentagon will review the matter further,” Newsmax said in its explanation for not signing.

The only news outlet to agree to the restrictions is the far-right television network One America News. “After thorough review of the revised press policy by our attorney, OAN staff has signed the document,” OAN president Charles Herring said in a statement Monday.

Pentagon reporters have had access to the building’s corridors for decades, the same way White House reporters have access to the briefing rooms and congressional reporters have access to the halls of Congress.

Immediately after taking office, Hegseth has taken steps to restrict that press access. In February, the freshly sworn-in secretary removed workspace from legacy media publications, including the Times, NBC News, Politico and National Public Radio (NPR), instead offering the space to outlets known for favorable coverage of the Trump administration.

In May, reporters were restricted from accessing areas around the secretary’s office without an escort. Hegseth described the changes as necessary reforms due to the sensitive nature of the department’s work.

“The ‘press’ does not run the Pentagon — the people do,” Hegseth posted last month. “The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home.”