The Pentagon, directed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is making a notable alteration in media access by replacing four longstanding news organizations with new ones, including Breitbart News, for a period of one year. Acting Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot communicated this update in a memo to the Pentagon Press Association on Friday, indicating that NBC News, The New York Times, National Public Radio (NPR), and Politico will leave their designated workspaces within the Pentagon. The New York Post, Breitbart News, and The Huffington Post will take over the spaces for one year. As outlined in the memo, a new policy will be implemented on a yearly rotation, providing various media outlets the chance to operate from within the Pentagon. The memo explained, “Each year, one outlet from each type of media—print, online, television, and radio—that has previously been based in the Pentagon will vacate their office to enable a new outlet from the same category that hasn’t yet had the distinctive experience of reporting as part of the Pentagon Press Corps.” Are You Certain That the Economy Will Get Better Under Donald Trump’s Governance? Email Address (mandatory). By participating in the poll, you consent to receiving emails from RVM News and occasional promotions from our partners, and confirm that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and legal terms. The media outlets affected have been allotted two weeks to vacate their office spaces, with changes coming into effect on February 15, 2025. Ullyot highlighted that the Pentagon’s media offices, referred to as the Correspondents’ Corridor, have historically allowed direct access to high-ranking military and civilian officials. “For more than fifty years, the Pentagon Press Corps has benefitted from their own office spaces that offer prized open access to key military and civilian leaders of the Department,” he stated. He noted that the office space provided to media outlets by the Secretary of Defense underscores the Department’s longstanding commitment to informing the public about the U.S. military’s efforts to maintain peace through strength. This decision aims to grant media outlets, which haven’t had such access before, the opportunity to report from inside the Pentagon. The Pentagon’s actions come as the Trump administration is revising its media access policies. Earlier this week, the White House announced a new initiative to broaden access to press briefings, lifting former limitations on press passes. During her first press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed the administration’s dedication to engaging with a larger variety of media platforms. “Following President Trump’s innovative media strategy from the campaign, the Trump White House will engage with all media outlets and personalities, not exclusively the established media present here,” Leavitt remarked. She mentioned a Gallup poll showing a historic low in trust towards mainstream media, noting that many people, especially younger demographics, are now relying on independent news sources. “It’s vital for our team that we effectively convey President Trump’s message and adapt this White House to the evolving media environment of 2025. With this in mind, I’m pleased to announce upcoming changes to the historic James S. Brady Briefing Room to honor Mr. Brady’s legacy,” she concluded. This shift indicates a broader strategy by the administration to modify media access regulations, reflecting the evolving ways in which Americans consume news and ensuring that independent and alternative media have increased opportunities to report on the federal government.
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