The Trump administration made a significant change on Friday, as it increased the number of media outlets it is displacing from designated work areas at the Pentagon. This move aims to accommodate news organizations that the administration perceives to be more supportive of its policies.
According to a memo from John Ullyot, who serves as the acting assistant to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, outlets such as CNN, The Washington Post, The Hill, and War Zone will have to vacate their spaces, making way for Newsmax, the Washington Examiner, the Daily Caller, and the Free Press.
The Pentagon Press Association criticized the decision as “unreasonable,” suggesting it reflects ongoing animosity toward certain news organizations. This week, the administration also indicated it would consider terminating government-funded media subscriptions, further deepening the divide between the Trump administration and some sectors of the media.
In the memo, Ullyot stated that rotating office space would allow other outlets an opportunity to provide coverage from within the Pentagon’s walls. Traditionally, media outlets are granted office space in government buildings like the White House and state Capitols to facilitate timely reporting on official matters. While the Pentagon isn’t outright barring the displaced outlets from covering news events, the shift will create hurdles for their operations.
In response, CNN affirmed that it would maintain its commitment to reporting on the Department of Defense, the U.S. military, and the Trump administration, regardless of the workspace situation. The Washington Post echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing its resolve to provide independent and fair coverage.
Last week, the Pentagon introduced a new rotation policy that also affected major news entities like NBC News, The New York Times, NPR, and Politico, all of which are required to leave their office space. New occupants include One America News Network, the New York Post, Breitbart News, and Huffpost. Notably, the outlets asked to vacate have often been subjects of President Donald Trump’s criticisms, whereas the new entrants typically offer more favorable coverage.
The Pentagon Press Association observed that none of the newly accepted outlets had asked for additional space from them, even though the association commonly advocates for room for journalists. They indicated that some of the organizations already operate within the Pentagon. In a statement issued on Friday, the association expressed its shock and disappointment over the administration’s decision.
Criticizing the approach, the association noted that instead of reassessing its position after outreach from over 20 news organizations, the Defense Department has chosen to reinforce a policy that has frequently marginalized journalists covering the U.S. military for years. They argued that there is no substantial evidence of space limitations at the Pentagon and pointed out that their proposal to accommodate all media outlets was ignored.
Many of the news organizations with offices in the Pentagon have made considerable investments in upgrades, including reliable internet access and television wiring for live reporting during critical news developments. Ullyot, however, dismissed the concerns regarding press space, asserting that most media covering the Pentagon do not have dedicated office areas, and commented that television outlets could easily bring in their equipment daily without issues.
