Speaking forcefully, Hegseth said the days of reporters freely roaming the Pentagon’s hallways are over. He emphasized that the department is taking information security “seriously” and that new protocols will ensure greater protection of classified and sensitive material.

“The Pentagon press corps can squeal all they want—we’re taking these things seriously,” Hegseth declared. “We’re not allowing everybody to roam around the building. You know, that was the policy before. If you were a Pentagon reporter, you could just walk around the building.”

The new measures will require journalists to carry visible badges and to be escorted when moving through certain parts of the building. “No badge, no escort, no nothing—that’s how it used to be,” Hegseth said. “Reporters could walk into offices, talk to anybody, and who knows where there’s classified information. We’re making the rules more like the White House.”

Under these tightened rules, reporters will no longer have unrestricted hallway access or the ability to approach military or civilian staff without prior authorization. Officials say the aim is to ensure that sensitive discussions, documents, or equipment remain secure at all times.

“If you want to move around the building, you’re going to have a badge. It’s going to be clear. You’re going to be escorted when you do so. And we have the expectation that you’re not soliciting classified or sensitive information,” Hegseth added.

According to Pentagon insiders, the crackdown comes after several internal reviews revealed repeated breaches of protocol, where unaccompanied media personnel were found in restricted zones. These lapses, officials argue, created unnecessary risks to national security.

Hegseth defended the policy shift as a matter of common sense, not censorship. “The American people see things like that as absolute common sense,” he said. “We’re not restricting the press—we’re protecting our country’s most vital secrets.”

The change has drawn mixed reactions among defense journalists and transparency advocates. Critics argue it could reduce media access and make it harder for reporters to conduct independent oversight of defense operations. However, supporters within the administration insist that protecting classified information must take priority.

As the new rules take effect, Pentagon officials are preparing to implement additional security measures, including digital monitoring systems and stricter visitor clearance protocols. For Hegseth, this crackdown represents a broader message: the era of uncontrolled access and unchecked leaks at the Pentagon is coming to an end.