Hegseth sends goodbye emoji to news outlets protesting press policy

I like Pete more every day…

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday derided media outlets that said their reporters would not sign the Pentagon’s restrictive new press policy, using a goodbye handwave emoji in responding to social media posts announcing their decisions.

The Associated Press, Reuters, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, CNN and NPR have all said their journalists would not sign the new paperwork that says they will abide by or acknowledge they understand the new rules around Pentagon access. Many posted their statements on social media.

Hegseth responded to several such posts – including one made by The Atlantic, which said they “fundamentally oppose” the restrictions – with the goodbye emoji.

In May, Hegseth banned journalists from most hallways of the Pentagon without an official escort. The decision was considered extreme, as reporters had had access throughout much of the building for decades without being monitored. Secure or restricted spaces have always been off-limits to the press without official permission.

Now with the new Pentagon press policy, journalists are technically not barred from investigating, reporting or publishing stories on the U.S. military using information deemed sensitive or unclassified, but they could be deemed “a security or safety risk” should they even ask DOD personnel for such information, according to a draft of the rules.

The Pentagon describes solicitation as including calls for tips, encouraging military personnel to share non-public information, as many reporters do via their publications or personal social media platforms, as routine Defense Department news briefings are nonexistent.

Beat reporters now have until Tuesday to sign the new rules or give up their press passes by Wednesday. Editors and journalists have said they will continue to cover the U.S. military even without press credentials.