Fox News has now joined most other major news networks in refusing to comply with new press rules from the Defense Department. As a result, the networks and other news organizations are losing their credentials to report inside the Pentagon.
Fox signed a joint statement with ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN that declared the policy “without precedent.” The networks said that the new policy “threatens core journalistic protections” and new requirements to report only approved information “would restrict journalists’ ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues.”
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For days, news outlets have voiced opposition to the new press guidance. Fox News’ decision to reject the rules is notable because it formerly employed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The rules would bar journalists from seeking or publishing information the Department of Defense has not authorized and would revoke press credentials from those who refuse to comply. An earlier draft had required reporters to submit their stories for Pentagon preapproval, but after pushback, that requirement was removed. The revised policy still prohibits journalists from pursuing information that has not been formally approved for release.
Media organizations say the new restrictions undermine transparency and accountability. Pentagon officials maintain the policy is about protecting sensitive information and maintaining national security in an era of increasing information leaks.
Desks cleared out as deadline passes
The Pentagon told news outlets they would need to sign an acknowledgment of the new press requirements by Tuesday. Hegseth said officials sought the signatures to confirm that journalists understood the rules, not that they agreed to follow them. However, without a signature of acknowledgement, news outlets were told to hand in their press badges.
The Washington Post described the mood inside the Pentagon press facilities as somber on Tuesday afternoon as journalists packed up their workspaces, some of which had been in use for decades. Networks removed broadcasting equipment, signaling the end of their physical presence inside the building, at least unless the Pentagon revisits its new press requirements.
One outlet agrees to terms
As of Tuesday, only One America News Network, rated by media watchdog group AllSides as an outlet with a right-wing political bias, publicly confirmed it had signed the new agreement.
A long list of left-leaning outlets, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Associated Press, Bloomberg News, Politico and The Atlantic, refused to sign on.
Right-leaning outlets, such as Newsmax, The Daily Caller, The Washington Times and The Washington Examiner, also rejected the terms.
Pentagon Press Association pushes back
The Pentagon Press Association, which represents reporters covering the department, formally asked officials to withdraw the policy, calling it “vague” and “likely unconstitutional.”
“The Pentagon certainly has the right to make its own policies, within the constraints of the law,” the association said in a statement on Monday. “There is no need or justification, however, for it to require reporters to affirm their understanding of vague, likely unconstitutional policies as a precondition to reporting from Pentagon facilities.”
Hegseth and Trump defend policy
Hegseth announced the new rules last month, calling them “commonsense” measures designed to protect national security. Hegseth and President Donald Trump were asked about the policy during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
“If they sign onto the credentialing, they’re not going to try to get soldiers to break the law by giving them classified information,” Hegseth said. “We’re trying to make sure national security is respected, and we’re proud of the policy.”
Trump defended the decision, saying Hegseth “finds the press to be very disruptive in terms of world peace and maybe security for our nation.”
Hegseth’s attorney, Tim Parlatore, downplayed media concerns in an interview with the Post. “The only issue is where you ask a Department of War employee to commit a crime to give unauthorized information to you,” he said. “Beyond that narrow circumstance, it is fair game.”
