The Trump administration has removed long-standing media outlets from their Pentagon offices, allowing new organizations to take their place. NBC News, The New York Times, NPR, and Politico have been instructed to leave their dedicated workspaces within two weeks under a newly implemented “annual media rotation program.”
The Department of Defense has reassigned these offices to One America News, Breitbart News, the New York Post, and HuffPost. The decision has drawn backlash from the legacy media, which claims the move unfairly targets mainstream outlets while favoring more conservative ones.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has argued that the shake-up is necessary to provide broader access to Pentagon reporting. The Trump administration has long criticized legacy media coverage of the military, particularly on issues like U.S. involvement in Ukraine.
NBC News called the decision “disappointing,” while NPR claimed it harms their ability to provide public service journalism. Politico voiced concerns that the move undermines independent reporting. Despite the criticism, the Pentagon confirmed that all credentialed reporters still have access to press conferences and briefings.
The rotation system does not ban any outlet from reporting on defense matters but ensures that a wider range of voices are included. Pentagon officials have not yet detailed how future rotations will be handled or whether additional outlets will be cycled in over time.
The Trump administration has already taken steps to reshape media access at the White House, restoring credentials to independent journalists and expanding opportunities for alternative outlets. The Pentagon’s decision marks a continuation of this effort to shift press coverage of government affairs.
