Pentagon

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Southern Command's Boss Quits as Pentagon Sends Forces

Adm. Alvin Holsey has held the job, overseeing the area that includes the boat strikes, for less than a year

(Newser) - The head of the US Southern Command, whose job includes overseeing military operations in the area where the Pentagon has been carrying out fatal strikes on what the Trump administration describes as drug-running boats, announced Thursday that he's leaving the position. Adm. Alvin Holsey has been in the...

Journalists Vacate Pentagon as Hegseth's Rules Kick In
Pentagon Reporters Pack Up
Oct 15, 2025 5:08 PM CDT

Pentagon Reporters Pack Up

Journalists turn in their badges as Trump endorses Hegseth's new rules

(Newser) - Dozens of reporters turned in access badges and exited the Pentagon on Wednesday rather than agree to government-imposed restrictions on their work, pushing journalists who cover the American military further from the seat of its power. News outlets were nearly unanimous in rejecting new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete...

A Pentagon Reporter Is Worried About What's Next

NPR's Tom Bowman, who is losing his press pass, says Hegseth wants reporters to be 'parrots'

(Newser) - Tom Bowman of NPR is losing the Pentagon press pass he's had for 28 years on Tuesday, and he offers both an explanation and a warning about why in an essay . NPR is one of many news organizations that have rejected strict new limits on what reporters can and...

Hegseth Is Really Going After Charlie Kirk's Detractors

Pentagon is probing hundreds of DOD staffers over online posts after activist's murder

(Newser) - The Pentagon has launched nearly 300 investigations into Defense Department personnel—including service members, civilian staff, and contractors—for their online comments following the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The sweeping probe, described in internal documents and reported by the Washington Post , follows a directive from Defense...

Press Association Blasts New Pentagon Restrictions

'The American people deserve to know how their military is being run'

(Newser) - Facing a deadline next week on whether to sign a statement acknowledging new restrictions on how they do their jobs or risk being thrown out of the Pentagon, journalists who cover the US military appear headed toward a showdown with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Negotiations over changing some of the...

Defense Officials Weigh In on Hegseth Meeting: 'Could Have Been an Email'

Event draws criticism for timing, tone, and focus on domestic roles

(Newser) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's attempt to rally America's military brass at Quantico Tuesday seems to have fizzled, with many officials left questioning why hundreds of generals were summoned in person—just hours ahead of the government shutdown . "Could have been an email," shrugged one of...

Trump to Generals: I've Never Had Such a Silent Room

Military brass were following protocol, but president asks them to loosen up

(Newser) - President Trump followed up defense chief Pete Hegseth's speech to the nation's top generals with one of his own, though he didn't lay out any new military initiatives. The president spoke for about 70 minutes and hit a wide range of topics. Some highlights via CNN , the...

Hegseth: 'Era of Politically Correct' Military Is Over

He also rails against 'fat generals,' facial hair, and 'woke' ideology

(Newser) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed a rare assembly of the top US generals and admirals on Tuesday, though his speech didn't reveal any major surprises. Hegseth reiterated points he has previously made: He wants a less "woke" fighting force and a warrior mentality. Highlights from his speech in...

Top Brass Are Worried About Hegseth's New Strategy

Administration reportedly drafts plan shifting Pentagon's priorities away from China, Europe

(Newser) - Top military leaders—including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—have registered serious concerns with the Trump administration's planned change in defense strategy ahead of the meeting involving hundreds of generals and admirals , Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and President Trump scheduled for Tuesday in Virginia. Current and...

Trump's Decision to Go Upends Security for Generals Meeting

Secret Service has to take over protection for the event at Quantico

(Newser) - Word has gone out from the White House that President Trump plans to attend the hastily called meeting of hundreds of the nation's top generals and admirals on Tuesday, a gathering ordered last week by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said he'll address the brass. Trump's decision...

Pentagon Looks at Options to Strike Venezuelan Drug Targets

Operation could begin in weeks, insiders say

(Newser) - The Pentagon is working on plans to attack drug traffickers inside Venezuela, an operation that could begin in weeks, people familiar with the operation told NBC News . President Trump posted last weekend that military had destroyed a boat in the Caribbean that he said was carrying narco-traffickers and drugs for...

Trump Sending Troops to 'War-Ravaged' Portland

President claims it's partly to protect ICE facilities from 'domestic terrorists,' 'antifa'

(Newser) - President Trump said on Saturday that he'll send troops to Portland, Oregon, to handle "domestic terrorists" as he expands his controversial deployments to more American cities. He made the announcement on social media , writing that he was directing the Department of Defense to "provide all necessary Troops...

Hegseth Summons Top Brass for Mysterious Meeting

Generals from around the world have been called to Virginia at short notice

(Newser) - Generals will gather in their masses in Virginia next week—but unlike witches at black masses, the reason for the meeting is unclear. The Washington Post , citing "more than a dozen people familiar with the matter," reports that with no explanation and little warning, Defense Secretary Pete...

Pentagon Rolls Out Rules Limiting What Can Be Reported

Journalists would have to seek clearance and escorts for building access

(Newser) - The Pentagon has announced new rules restricting journalists' movement in the Department of Defense headquarters and requiring them to sign a pledge to not publish unauthorized information. Violations could lead to revocation of reporters' credentials, the Hill reports. Pentagon officials, who have already kicked news organizations they've criticized...

Pentagon Denies Report of Kirk-Focused Recruiting

Sources told NBC the military was considering using Turning Point USA offices as recruitment centers

(Newser) - Pentagon officials are considering a recruitment campaign centered on Charlie Kirk, NBC News reports, citing "two officials familiar with the planning." According to NBC's sources, the campaign would urge people to honor the murdered conservative activist's legacy by joining the military, with slogans including "Charlie...

Marines Recruiter Ousted Over Charlie Kirk Post

Pentagon warns troops over comments celebrating Kirk's assassination; other firings also emerge

(Newser) - A Marine Corps recruiter has been dismissed after sharing a social media post referring to the slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a "racist man" who was "popped," following a wave of online scrutiny and even warnings from the Pentagon. The post, which circulated widely among...

Trump Says 9/11 Response Shows 'We Will Never Yield'

Remembrances at Pentagon and in New York and Pennsylvania mark 24th anniversary of attacks

(Newser) - President Trump and first lady Melania Trump marked 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks at a service at the Pentagon on Thursday. While traditionally observed near the building's memorial outside the Pentagon's walls, the event was moved to the internal courtyard following the assassination of political...

Loomer Gets Senator's Spy Agency Visit Scrapped

Pentagon cancels Democrat Mark Warner's oversight visit to spy agency after she objects

(Newser) - A Senate oversight visit to a secretive spy agency was abruptly canceled this week after right-wing activist Laura Loomer raised objections, spotlighting growing tensions over the Trump administration's moves to limit congressional oversight and raising questions about how Loomer, who lacks government clearance, had knowledge of the classified...

Robert E. Lee Is Heading Back to West Point's Walls

Painting of Confederate general was removed by law in 2022; it's not clear how it's being returned

(Newser) - In 2022, a 20-foot-high portrait of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was yanked off the walls of the US Military Academy's library in West Point, New York, after seven decades and put into storage. The move came after a 2020 law under President Biden that scrubbed the names of...

Report: Trump Administration Ready to Move on Mexico

Pentagon plans strikes on drug cartels there, apparently with or without Mexico's OK

(Newser) - The Trump administration has reportedly instructed the US military to ready plans for direct attacks against Mexican drug cartels, with preparations to be managed by the Northern Command and a target date for the plans set for mid-September. According to three military sources who spoke to independent journalist Ken...

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