Trump opposes Pentagon control over media reporting amid access restrictions

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - US President Donald Trump said Sunday he does not think that the Pentagon should control what reporters can report amid new media restrictions at the Defense Department.

"No, I don't think so. Nothing stops reporters," said Trump when asked whether the Pentagon should decide what reporters can report on.

His remarks come as the Pentagon tightens media access rules.

"The 'press' does not run the Pentagon -- the people do," Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday on US social media company X.

Spokesman Sean Parnell outlined the "updated physical control measures for press/media access within the Pentagon."

New guidelines formalized Thursday require credentialed reporters to sign documents acknowledging updated protocols. Previously, reporters could move relatively freely throughout much of the Pentagon.

Under the new policy, escorts are required for sensitive areas, while media retains access to the defense media office and other general spaces.

On Sept. 5, Trump signed an executive order rebranding the US Department of Defense as the Department of War.

The change introduces “Department of War” and “Secretary of War” as secondary titles for use in official communications, ceremonial contexts, and non-statutory documents within the executive branch.

The official legal names remain Department of Defense and secretary of defense, as only Congress can enact a formal renaming.