In September of last year, the Secretary of the Department of War (DOW), Pete Hegseth, effectively took every step to restrict journalists’ access to a wide array of information at the Pentagon. As a result, no journalist can publish information without DOW approval or “induce” public officials to access information. On top of that, the press pen was moved from the actual Pentagon to a small building outside, and the media are only allowed inside with a federally employed escort.
The intention behind these restrictions is most clearly manifested in a document referred to as “the Pledge,” which forces journalists to agree not to publish any unauthorized information, even if it is unclassified.
As the face of this issue, Hegseth serves as a reminder that building longstanding and respectful relationships with journalists and news sources is key to the vitality of fair and true information, and a lack thereof can be incredibly dangerous.
As the journalists of Zephyrus understand, the pillars that prop up the industry are truth, independence, and the ability to inform the public while minimizing harm. It is with those ideas in mind that major news outlets like the New York Times, CNN, Fox News, and more refused to sign the Pledge and lost access to any sort of information surrounding the military security of our country.
As a result, only some traditionally conservative news outlets that chose to adhere to the Pentagon’s new policies, such as America News, retained selective access to the limited information cleared by the DOW.
It goes without saying that this is a major limitation of both free speech and the freedom of the press in the U.S. With overseas involvement in Iran and an onslaught of surprise regime changes in countries like Venezuela, it is the right and deep concern of the public to have information about their country’s war and defense-related status. In its creation of “the Pledge,” the Pentagon has warped the information, so that it can only be displayed in a positive and limited light.
Not only that, but a lack of information could be dangerous for all citizens of the U.S. Potential war, spending millions of tax dollars, and involvement overseas are all actions that will affect every single voter. Now, Americans have no idea what decisions are being made and why, and there is absolutely no way to predict where in the world Trump will create conflict next.
Sadly, the damage to journalistic access likely isn’t restricted to just the Pete Hegseth-era Pentagon. Major news outlets are doing their best to retaliate against the action, and the drawn-out legal battles could create a harmful precedent surrounding military coverage for years to come.
The most impactful legal action so far took place when a federal judge in Washington blocked the Pledge after ruling in favor of the New York Times in a recent lawsuit, but even if this gains them access to the Pentagon, there will still be broader ramifications for journalist access to DOW information.
Both political parties are getting hurt in what used to be a relationship built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding. Both the various lawsuits against the DOW and the harm done to long-time journalists whose careers were focused on Pentagon coverage mean that the parties no longer have trust and a positive working relationship. This only stands to hurt coverage of major military actions for years to come, even once Hegseth and his policies are gone.
In another example of how the deterioration of journalistic access in the Pentagon will last far beyond just the Trump administration, the journalists who primarily cover federal operations have now seen career limitations, which won’t just be an overnight fix. The next Secretary of War will need to use exorbitant legal resources and focus on public relations to rebuild broken relationships.
This only goes to show why it is so important to create channels of communication and regular healthy interaction as journalists with the communities around us, and why Zephyrus strives to embody the values of representing our community.
Through our recently established incorporation of beats, which pursue active and regular communication with leaders and organizations in our community and statewide, we are aiming to facilitate long-standing bonds so we can provide the best and most regular coverage of events to Edina High School and our readers.
While the Pentagon and Pete Hegseth are showing a masterclass in how to alienate true journalism and the work it takes to preserve its values, Zephyrus and news organizations across the country are continuing to pursue relationships here in our own community. In a time of hatred and separation, it’s important to reach out and stay connected.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on April 9, 2026
