A new policy at the Pentagon pertaining to the press found Jonathan Turley joining the chorus of detractors over the “breathtaking” implications.
“This measure is simply a bridge too far.”
(Video Credit: Fox News)
At the same time as efforts were underway at the Department of War to take disciplinary action on service members who reveled in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Secretary Pete Hegseth advanced a policy on media access. Not only does the policy require display of credentials, it also demands authorization before publishing information, leading the George Washington University Law professor to argue it placed a “stranglehold” on the media.
Speaking with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, who recounted his own tenure of around six-and-a-half years covering the Pentagon, Turley slammed the new policy on “Special Report.”
“Bret, this is actually quite breathtaking in terms of its implications for the free press. There is no precedent for what they’re doing here,” said the legal scholar. “Now, it is true that access is something that is a privilege. At the CIA, reporters — journalists are not allowed just to wander as widely as they do in the Pentagon. But the Pentagon has had a long tradition of allowing the media to work with its own representatives and getting the story right.”
The memo instituting the policy detailed in part that the Department of War “remains committed to transparency to promote accountability and public trust. However, DoW information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified.”
Turley continued to make his case by arguing, “Now, there have been times where the press has published what was classified information. Some of those cases are the most significant in our country, like the Pentagon Papers, that produced great reforms, that informed the public of things that they had to know about. This measure is simply a bridge too far. It really does raise core press protections, and it would devastate the press corps in the Pentagon.”
Meanwhile, Hegseth shared coverage from the Daily Wire about the policy as he posted to X, “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 “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. pic.twitter.com/nkG1m6bW3z
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 19, 2025
In response to Turley’s position, Baier remarked on his own lengthy tenure covering the Pentagon and contended, “If officials came to us and said there is a national security imperative here that this story not come out, we would obviously talk to our supervisors. But, for the most part, people who covered the Pentagon knew the security implications and the danger of possibly putting people’s lives at risk if any sort of classified story or story that could put them in jeopardy happened, and it was dealt with.”
At the same time, following the announcement of a “zero tolerance” policy at the Department of War for military personnel and civilians within the department mocking or celebrating a fellow American’s assassination, Task & Purpose detailed that, as of Wednesday, “at least five Army officers and an Air Force senior master sergeant have been suspended from their jobs after allegedly posting about the death of Kirk on social media.”
It was also reported that a Marine officer was relieved of recruiting duties and placed under investigation, while an Army Reserve major was also under investigation.
This too was met with pushback from those who viewed the policy as somehow an end to an apolitical military, like former Air Force judge advocate Rachel VanLandingham.
Now a professor at Southwestern Law School, VanLandingham told The Hill, “Going beyond things that directly impact good order and discipline, directly impact the military mission, just to retribute and punish and therefore suppress and chill any personal expression based on ideological grounds is beyond the pale.”
Countering that view, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy Stephen Simmons argued on X that those who joined in the vile revelry over the assassination of Kirk had allegedly violated their oaths of office while insisting, “We all must commit to ensure that our military remains loyal to the Constitution and in doing so, does not become a savage beast that devours the will of the people.”
SecWar is upholding his oath to defend the constitution. And so must we. Especially from those wolves who veil themselves in the trappings of the uniform.
“And we must take every care that our auxiliaries, being stronger than our citizens, may not grow to be too much for them…
— Stephen Simmons (@simmonsactual) September 15, 2025
Pressed for his take on the matter, President Donald Trump was asked Sunday if the Pentagon should be allowed to decide what corporate media could report on, to which he replied, “No, I don’t think so,” adding, “Nothing stops reporters, you know that.”
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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