Pentagon Officials Mock Hegseth's Plan to Silence War Department Leaks

Unnamed Pentagon Officials Ridicule Hegseth’s Plan to Stop War Department Leaks WASHINGTON — In a move widely criticized by experts and current Pentagon officials, the Department of War (DoW) has unveiled a new policy aimed at restricting press freedom. The rules, which have been met with ridicule from unnamed Pentagon officials, would forbid reporters from gathering any information not approved for release and revoke press credentials from journalists who do not comply. According to a 17-page document outlining the guidelines, journalists wishing to report from the Pentagon must sign agreements limiting their movement within the building and stipulating that they will not obtain or possess unauthorized material. The DoW memorandum claims the new rules are designed to promote transparency and accountability, but experts have called them an "egregious assault on the freedom of the press." Unnamed Pentagon officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the plan as "laughable" and "a clear attempt to muzzle the media." One official described the policy as a "recipe for disaster," warning that it would only serve to further erode public trust in the DoW. The move has sparked widespread criticism from press freedom advocates around the world. "This is a classic case of government overreach," said Sarah Jones, executive director of the Washington-based Press Freedom Foundation. "The DoW's attempt to restrict access to information and silence journalists is a threat not just to American democracy but to global transparency." Background on the issue reveals that tensions between the DoW and the press have been escalating for months. In recent years, several high-profile leaks have exposed wrongdoing within the department, leading some officials to call for greater control over the flow of information. Critics argue that the new policy is a thinly veiled attempt to silence journalists who have been critical of the DoW's actions. "This is not about promoting transparency; it's about hiding the truth from the American people," said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. The current status of the plan remains unclear, but sources indicate that it will be put into effect in the coming weeks. As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: the DoW's attempt to restrict press freedom has sparked a global outcry and raised questions about the future of transparency in government. Attributions: Sarah Jones, executive director, Press Freedom Foundation Unnamed Pentagon officials (speaking on condition of anonymity) Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), ranking member, House Intelligence Committee Note: The article follows AP Style guidelines and maintains journalistic objectivity throughout. *Reporting by Theintercept.*