'What's he afraid of?': Veteran Pentagon reporters rip Pete Hegseth's media restrictions

Restrictions on Pentagon Press Corps - New Pentagon press restrictions force journalists to surrender access to the building [1] - Restrictions hinder the American public's access to information about the Pentagon's inner workings [6] - Journalists are prohibited from asking basic questions without fear of prosecution [7] - Restrictions may impede the ability to report on military activities, deployments, and their impact [21][22] Impact on Reporting and Information Access - Sources express fear of talking to the press due to potential polygraph tests and questioning [12] - Journalism continues despite restrictions, with reporters finding alternative ways to report [8][9] - Restrictions may lead to a less nuanced understanding of military operations for the American public [23] - The Pentagon's decision to restrict press access may harm its own ability to engage with and be understood by the public [19][20] Concerns about Politicization of the Military - There are concerns about the politicization of the US military [16][17] - The US military is traditionally apolitical, defending the nation without fear or favor [16] - There is a danger that the military may be tailored to a specific political agenda [17]