The Pentagon has restricted access to the press office for journalists and media outlets, according to Politico
Journalists are no longer allowed in the Pentagon’s Department of Defense press office. The space, which has been used by the media for decades, has been officially closed to the press.
The department stated that the press office is now designated as a restricted-access area.
Journalists are completely barred from entering the building, as it will be repurposed for staff handling classified materials.
The Pentagon denies that the decision restricts press freedom. Acting Press Secretary Joel Valdes stated that there is nothing controversial about this.
“As a result, journalists will no longer be allowed to enter this facility. There is nothing controversial about this,” he said.
He also emphasized that the Department of Defense is the most transparent agency in its history and accused the media of manipulation.
“This is the most transparent Department of Defense in history. No manipulation by the media spreading fake news will change that,” Valdez added.
According to media reports, the restrictions were adopted amid an ongoing conflict between the Pentagon and journalists. In recent months, press access to the defense department has been gradually curtailed, drawing criticism from major U.S. media outlets.
Some newsrooms even declined accreditation after the Pentagon tightened its operating rules.
Journalistic organizations have filed lawsuits, alleging violations of free speech. Federal judges have already twice challenged the new access rules, but the administration continues to appeal them.
This is reported by Politico.
Prior to this, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hagset stated during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that the Pentagon would ramp up weapons production and restructure the defense industry on a significantly larger scale, which in the future would allow for substantially greater support for Ukraine across all key areas.
Earlier, Hagset explained the U.S. position on funding for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington may reduce its military presence not only in Germany but also in other European countries, particularly Italy and Spain. He sharply criticized NATO allies, stating that some of them had “done nothing to help” the U.S., and did not rule out a review of the American military presence in Europe.
