(New York) Dozens of American journalists handed in their access badges and left the Pentagon on Wednesday, preferring to leave rather than accept government restrictions on their work.
The media was almost unanimous in its rejection of new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which threatened journalists with expulsion if they sought to cover information – classified or not – that had not been approved for publication by Mr. Hegseth.
Many journalists waited together to leave the building at 4 p.m., a deadline set by the Defense Department. Around forty journalists then left together after handing over their badges. “It’s sad, but I’m also very proud of the solidarity of journalists,” said Nancy Youssef, a journalist at The Atlanticwho has been stationed at the Pentagon since 2007. She took with her a map of the Middle East as a souvenir.
PHOTO KEVIN WOLF, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The practical impact of these new rules remains unclear, although media outlets have pledged to continue sustained coverage of the military.
Many of President Donald Trump’s supporters are unhappy with journalists and welcome his efforts to make their jobs harder. Mr. Trump has been involved in legal disputes against the New York TimesCBS News, ABC News, Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press last year.
The Pentagon Press Association, whose 101 members represent 56 news organizations, came out against the new rules. Organizations from all media backgrounds, traditional organizations like the Associated Press and the New York Times Conservative media outlets, like Fox and Newsmax, have asked their journalists to leave rather than sign the new rules.
Only the conservative One America News Network accepted them.
Associated Press reporter Laurie Kellman in London contributed to this report.
