More Than 100 Venezuelan Political Prisoners Released Amid Ongoing Human Rights Scrutiny 
Federal Judge Rules Trump Administration Unlawfully Halted EV Charger Funding 
South Korea Repatriates 73 Suspected Online Scammers From Cambodia in Major Crackdown 
Trump Nominates Brett Matsumoto as Next Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner 
Syria Detains Group Over Rocket Attacks on Damascus Military Airport Amid Hezbollah Allegations 
Trump Administration Gun Comments Spark Rift With NRA Ahead of Midterms 
Japan Urges Fishermen to Avoid Senkaku Islands as China Tensions Rise 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
Kevin Warsh’s Fed Nomination Raises Questions Over Corporate Ties and U.S.–South Korea Trade Tensions 
Trump’s Iraq Envoy Mark Savaya Ousted Amid U.S.-Iraq Tensions Over Iran Influence 
Putin Envoy Kirill Dmitriev to Visit Miami for Talks With Trump Administration Officials 
Minnesota Judge Rejects Bid to Halt Trump Immigration Enforcement in Minneapolis 
U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on Haiti Transitional Council Over Gang Allegations 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Pemex Halts Planned Crude Oil Shipment to Cuba Amid Rising US Pressure 
Israel Intensifies Gaza Airstrikes Amid Ceasefire Tensions 
The Pentagon has implemented new restrictions limiting journalist access within its headquarters, marking a significant shift in media policy under President Donald Trump’s renewed administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that credentialed reporters will now need official escorts to enter most areas of the Department of Defense building in Arlington, Virginia.
The directive, effective immediately, cites the need to safeguard classified national intelligence (CSNI) and operational security. “Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information could endanger U.S. service members,” Hegseth stated in a memo. Reporters will now require both official approval and an escort to access previously unrestricted areas.
The Pentagon Press Association criticized the move, calling it a “direct attack on press freedom,” and noted that previous administrations—both Republican and Democrat—allowed broader media access even in times of crisis, including after the 9/11 attacks.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the decision, emphasizing the protection of sensitive data and personnel. In addition to access restrictions, Hegseth’s memo announced that journalists will be issued new credentials identifying them more visibly as press members. Reporters must also formally acknowledge their responsibility to safeguard sensitive information.
Since Trump's return to office in January, the administration has intensified efforts to prevent leaks, including launching internal investigations and placing several officials on administrative leave. A controversial office rotation has also forced major outlets like CNN, NBC News, and The New York Times out of Pentagon offices, making space for conservative-leaning media such as Breitbart and One America News.
The White House has also authorized polygraph testing for Homeland Security officials, warning of possible termination for those refusing tests. The Trump administration continues to underscore its zero-tolerance stance on unauthorized disclosures to the media.
