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Secretary of Defense, Peter Brian Hegseth, has issued orders Friday for journalists with access to the Pentagon, as the Trump administration is trying to plug the holes where sensitive information had been leaking like a used three-day-old baby diaper.
According to the new rules, credentialed reporters from most DoD headquarters in Arlington, VA, will not have access without official approval and escort, Hegseth's memorandum states.
The SecDef describes this move to protect classified national intelligence information and even sensitive unclassified information regarding operational security as "an unwavering imperative for the Department."
"While the Department remains committed to transparency, the Department is equally obligated to protect [Classified National Security Information] and sensitive information - the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. Service members in danger," the secretary, a former US Army Major, said.
The SecDef describes this move to protect classified national intelligence information and even sensitive unclassified information regarding operational security as "an unwavering imperative for the Department."
"While the Department remains committed to transparency, the Department is equally obligated to protect [Classified National Security Information] and sensitive information - the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. Service members in danger," the secretary, a former US Army Major, said.
The new order will soon have members of the Pentagon press corps sing a form acknowledging their responsibility to protect national intelligence and sensitive information. [It's amazing this hasn't been standard operating procedure prior to Hegseth's appointment.] Journalists will also be issued new shiny badges that clearly identify them as members of the Pentagon press corps.
"We also anticipate a forthcoming announcement of additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny on the issuance of [credentials]," the memo said. "Failure by any member of the resident or visiting press to comply with these control measures will result in further restrictions and possibly revocation of press credentials."
The Pentagon Press Association (PPA), a membership organization representing the press corps covering the U.S. military, whined that the new rules seem to demonstrate a "direct attack on the freedom of the press." [What, is the PPA funded by China?]
The Pentagon Press Association (PPA), a membership organization representing the press corps covering the U.S. military, whined that the new rules seem to demonstrate a "direct attack on the freedom of the press." [What, is the PPA funded by China?]
"The decision is purportedly based on concerns about operational security," the group said in a statement. "But the Pentagon Press Corps has had access to non-secured, unclassified spaces in the Pentagon for decades, under Republican and Democratic administrations, including in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, without any concern about OP-SEC from DoD leadership."
Yes, and thus the leaks, you dolts. Just last month, the Pentagon fired three officials after announcing a leak investigation in March at the Department of Defense, so Hegseth is getting out ahead of the curve.
The Pentagon has also required legacy news outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico, NPR, CNN and NBC News, to vacate their office spaces in the building, and will have their offices fumigated from the stink. They plan to bring in more administration-friendly outlets like the New York Post, the Daily Caller, One America News Network, and Breitbart.
The Pentagon has also required legacy news outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico, NPR, CNN and NBC News, to vacate their office spaces in the building, and will have their offices fumigated from the stink. They plan to bring in more administration-friendly outlets like the New York Post, the Daily Caller, One America News Network, and Breitbart.
The department said the rotation system aimed to allow other media outlets the opportunity to cover the Pentagon as resident members of the press corps.
Hopefully these outlets will report honestly and not simply be typists for the administration. Based on their track record, it's likely we will get a better, more honest perspective of government than we did in the past.
Finally, the administration has begun using lie detector tests to probe unauthorized leaks at federal agencies. Some Department of Homeland Security officials were told they could be fired for refusing polygraphs. It's like a cop asking you to take a breathalyzer test to see why you rear-ended a car parked in a driveway and you sound like Joe Biden when you speak but you refuse the test. You're going to jail and lose your driving privileges for a period of time.
The White House said President Trump will not tolerate leaks to the media and that federal employees who leak material should be held accountable.
Finally, the administration has begun using lie detector tests to probe unauthorized leaks at federal agencies. Some Department of Homeland Security officials were told they could be fired for refusing polygraphs. It's like a cop asking you to take a breathalyzer test to see why you rear-ended a car parked in a driveway and you sound like Joe Biden when you speak but you refuse the test. You're going to jail and lose your driving privileges for a period of time.
The White House said President Trump will not tolerate leaks to the media and that federal employees who leak material should be held accountable.
Hegseth is ensuring it doesn't happen on his watch.
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