Trump says he does not think Pentagon should limit what journalists report on

Source: The Guardian

Sun 21 Sep 2025 13.27 EDT
First published on Sun 21 Sep 2025 12.53 EDT


Donald Trump appeared to talk down about Pentagon restrictions that aim to severely limit journalists’ abilities to report on US military issues. The president faced questions about the directive as he departed the White House for Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on Sunday. Asked whether the Pentagon should be in charge of deciding what reporters can report on, Trump said: “No, I don’t think so.” He added: “Nothing stops reporters. You know that.”

In a memo issued days earlier, the US military demanded that journalists must pledge not to gather any information – including unclassified documents – that has not been authorized for release or else risk revocation of their press passes.

Using an abbreviation for the recently rebranded Department of War headed by Trump appointee Pete Hegseth, the memo said: “DoW information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified.”

And in a post on X, Hegseth said Friday: “The ‘press’ does not run the Pentagon – the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules – or go home.” The memo follows an announcement by Hegseth in May regarding new press restrictions at the Pentagon. These limit reporters’ movements within the building to specific areas including the press pens, food court and courtyard.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/21/trump-pentagon-journalists