Ex-Pentagon Reporter Rips Hegseth’s ‘Lazy Use Of An Emoji’ to Media Outlets Refusing to Sign His Pledge

Jennifer Bowers Bahney Oct 13th, 2025, 5:44 pm

Legendary ex-Pentagon reporter Barbara Starr ripped Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his new “press policy” trying to force reporters to sign away their First Amendment rights.

Hegseth is requiring all Pentagon reporters to sign the policy by Tuesday at 5 p.m. or lose access to the building within 24 hours.

The policy’s wording bans reporters from asking for or obtaining any information that is not explicitly authorized. In other words, reporters are not allowed to use leaked information.

“News organizations across the political spectrum are refusing to sign,” Starr told Mediaite on Monday. “So, the message Mr. Hegseth sho

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