Pentagon press rules may be 'bridge too far,' Turley warns
Law experts warn the policy could curb reporting and raise questions about access and leaks.
The Pentagon on Monday unveiled a new policy that would require credentialed reporters to sign a pledge not to publish information unless it has been cleared for release. The rule would extend to materials that have already been unclassified, and journalists who refuse could lose access to Pentagon briefing rooms and other events.
Legal experts and press advocates described the policy as unprecedented and potentially harmful to the public’s right to know. George Washington University law professor and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley called the move a “bridge too far” that could be “devastating” to the Pentagon press corps. “There is no precedent for what they're doing here,” Turley said on Fox’s Special Report, adding that “if you publish anything that's not in the press release... you could be held responsible under this policy.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the change at a June 26, 2025, Pentagon news conference in Arlington, saying the policy is intended to curb leaks and protect sensitive information. “Time and time again, classified information is leaked or peddled for political purposes to try to make the president look bad,” Hegseth said. The administration said the rule is meant to safeguard national security rather than silence the press.
The policy drew criticism from media outlets and lawmakers in Washington. Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon wrote on X that the plan risks turning the Pentagon into a “Pravda”-style outlet and said, “A free press makes our country better. This sounds like more amateur hour.” Critics warned the policy could block the public from learning about the government’s actions and reduce reporting to government-approved messaging.
Trump to weigh in on the policy: President Donald Trump appeared to disagree with the policy when asked about it on Sunday. He said, “No, I don’t think so. Nothing stops reporters.” His remarks add to a broader, partisan debate about access to information at a period of heightened scrutiny of the executive branch in U.S. politics.
The policy has sparked concerns that the Pentagon could restrict reporting beyond sensitive disclosures, potentially limiting coverage to statements issued by defense officials. Critics warn the rules could chill investigative work and undermine accountability for military actions in a time when questions about transparency are politically charged.
Observers say the policy’s practicality and enforceability remain unclear. The department has not released detailed guidance on how the pledge would be administered, how unclassified material would be treated, or how reporters could challenge clearance decisions. The stakes are high, given the Pentagon’s central role in national security reporting and the press corps’ long-standing access to military leaders and facilities.
The debate over press access to national security matters is part of broader questions about transparency in U.S. politics. As lawmakers examine related rules and courts consider challenges, experts say the outcome could influence how the public learns about the actions of the armed forces and, more broadly, how government information is shared with citizens.