1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Defense Secretary Hegseth’s new Pentagon restrictions represent an unprecedented assault on press freedom that demands immediate congressional intervention. Journalists must now sign pledges promising to only gather “approved and officially released information” - even unclassified material - or lose their press credentials entirely. The National Press Club correctly identified this as “a direct assault on independent journalism at the very place where independent scrutiny matters most: the U.S. military” . This policy eliminates the investigative reporting that has exposed defense contractor fraud, military scandals, and strategic failures for generations. The vague language prohibiting “unprofessional conduct that might serve to disrupt Pentagon operations” creates a weapon for silencing any reporter who asks tough questions . These restrictions follow earlier moves by the Trump administration to revoke dedicated Pentagon workspace for major news outlets including NPR and to strip the White House Correspondents’ Association of its traditional role in press access . The pattern is clear: systematic dismantling of independent oversight of our most powerful institutions. Congress must act immediately to restore press access through legislation and oversight hearings. As NPR’s editor-in-chief stated, news organizations are “working together to push back” against these authoritarian measures . Your constituents deserve to know how defense dollars are spent, how wars are fought, and how decisions putting American lives at risk are made. Demand hearings on these restrictions and pass legislation protecting press access to federal agencies before this precedent spreads throughout government.