Trump Administration Overhauls Pentagon Press Corps, Legacy Media Loses Exclusive Access

The Department of Defense has announced a major change to its media access policy, removing long-established mainstream outlets from dedicated workspaces at the Pentagon and opening the door for new voices. NBC News, The New York Times, NPR, and Politico have been instructed to vacate their offices, making way for news organizations that had previously been excluded.

The Pentagon’s new “annual media rotation program” aims to “broaden access” to reporting on military affairs. Replacing the legacy media outlets will be One America News, Breitbart News, the New York Post, and HuffPost. The inclusion of three conservative-leaning outlets has sparked outrage from mainstream media figures, with some calling it an attempt to silence opposition.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took office just one week before the decision, signaling a clear shift in how the Trump administration wants to handle media coverage of military operations. Critics claim the change favors Trump-friendly outlets, while supporters argue it ends years of media bias against his administration.

Mainstream journalists have voiced concerns that losing dedicated Pentagon workspaces will hinder their ability to report on defense matters. NPR called the decision an obstacle to its “public interest mission,” while Politico described it as “troubling.” NBC News, which has used its Pentagon office for decades, stated it was “disappointed” but vowed to continue reporting.

Despite the backlash, the removed outlets retain access to press briefings and the ability to report on the Pentagon. Credentialed reporters can still attend briefings and be considered for travel with military leaders. However, losing immediate access to workspace inside the Pentagon represents a significant shift in how information is disseminated.

The Trump administration has been vocal about bringing new perspectives into the media landscape, particularly on defense matters. Pentagon officials have not disclosed how future media rotations will be decided, but for now, the shake-up ensures a wider range of voices will be covering America’s military affairs.