The Trump administration intensifies pressure on the press and tightens access to military information.
On Wednesday, The Washington Post reported that the U.S. Secretary of War excluded photojournalists from two press briefings about the war against Iran after media outlets published “unflattering” images of Pete Hegseth.
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The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed discomfort with photographs taken on March 2 during Hegseth’s first appearance before reporters since the start of the attacks against the Persian nation on Feb. 28.
Officials from the War Secretary’s office said they did not like the appearance of the Pentagon chief, after which they decided to exclude photojournalists from the press briefings held on March 4 and March 10.
International agencies such as The Associated Press, Reuters, the European agency European Pressphoto Agency and Getty Images sent professionals to the briefing.
Kingsley Wilson, the press secretary for the Department of War, stated that only one representative per media outlet without a permanent credential is being allowed entry “to effectively use the space in the Pentagon press briefing room.”
“Photographs from the press briefings are immediately published online for use by the public and the press. If that harms the business model of certain media outlets, then they should consider applying for a Pentagon press credential,” Wilson warned.
Since returning to power, Trump has intensified his attacks on the press, often going so far as to insult reporters who ask questions he considers offensive. Members of his Cabinet have adopted similar positions.
As a result, the Secretary of War — the agency that receives the largest amount of federal public funding — has stopped holding its usual weekly press briefings or providing detailed information about military operations of public interest, such as attacks on boats allegedly used for drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
In October 2025, the Pentagon revoked credentials from the vast majority of media outlets working inside the iconic building, after they refused to accept new rules imposing strict limits on access to the facilities and the use of sources.
The Pentagon also raised the possibility of sanctions for requesting information of public interest without authorization, even when it is not classified.
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
