For decades, the American press has positioned itself as the ultimate watchdog, demanding transparency from everyone while operating in shadows themselves. They’ve leaked sensitive information, compromised ongoing operations, and then hidden behind the First Amendment when called to account. But what happens when someone finally asks them to follow the same security protocols that apply to everyone else? (Spoiler: they lose their minds.)

The establishment media’s reaction tells you everything you need to know about their sense of entitlement. These self-appointed guardians of democracy genuinely believe they exist above the guidelines that govern the rest of us, that their role as information gatekeepers exempts them from the accountability they demand from others. The performative outrage would be hilarious if it weren’t so predictable.

From ‘The Post Millennial’:

The Pentagon has put sweeping press restrictions into place, saying that all credentialed journalists reporting from the military HQ must pledge to not publish any information that was not authorized for release, including unclassified information. Many media outlets, both conservative and leftist, have refused to sign the mandatory pledge. Those who do not sign the policy are at risk of losing their credentials, per the 17-page memo from late September.

The Department of War is simply asking reporters with special access to military headquarters to agree not to publish unauthorized information—the same standard that applies at every military installation across the country. This isn’t censorship; it’s elementary operational security. Yet the press corps is treating this reasonable requirement as if Secretary Hegseth just suspended the Constitution.

The Usual Suspects Line up

The list of outlets refusing to comply reads like a who’s who of journalistic elitism: The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, The Atlantic—all the usual suspects who’ve spent years publishing leaked classified materials while wrapping themselves in sanctimonious rhetoric about “democracy dying in darkness.” (Rich, coming from them.) Even some conservative outlets like Newsmax and The Washington Times have joined the resistance, proving that media entitlement crosses party lines.

Pete Hegseth’s response to their theatrical protests? A simple wave goodbye emoji. When The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Washington Post released their pompous statements about First Amendment violations, the Secretary of War dismissed them with nothing more than “👋”. No lengthy rebuttals, no defensive press releases—just a digital shrug that perfectly captures the administration’s position: comply or leave. Brutal. Love it.

Common Sense vs. Media Privilege

Here’s what the Fourth Estate won’t tell you: these aren’t extraordinary restrictions. As Hegseth himself noted, “Pentagon now has same rules as every U.S. military installation.” Every military base in America requires similar agreements from visitors. The protocols are straightforward: wear your press badge, stay with your escort in sensitive areas, and don’t encourage Pentagon personnel to violate department policy. That’s it. Elementary stuff.

OAN, demonstrating actual journalistic integrity, reviewed the policy with their attorneys and signed it. “After thorough review of the revised press policy by our attorney, OAN staff has signed the document,” said OAN head Charles Herring. Imagine that—following rules. Apparently, it’s possible to practice journalism while also respecting standard security procedures. Who knew?

The Pentagon’s spokesperson Sean Parnell cut through the press corps’ misleading narrative with surgical precision: “Let’s be absolutely clear: journalists are not required to clear their stories with us. This claim is a lie.” The requirements are simple: follow security protocols, wear identification, and don’t actively solicit criminal acts from military personnel. If that’s too much to ask, perhaps these outlets shouldn’t have privileged access to the nation’s military headquarters. Seems reasonable, no?

The real story here isn’t about press freedom—it’s about a pampered journalistic establishment that believes guidelines don’t apply to them. They want unrestricted access to roam the Pentagon freely, gathering whatever information they please, with zero accountability for how that information might compromise national security. When finally asked to follow the same routine procedures as everyone else, they cry authoritarianism. Please.

This is the Trump administration drawing a reasonable line in the sand. Pentagon access is indeed a privilege, not a right, and with that privilege comes responsibility. The reporters refusing to sign this pledge have until Tuesday at 5 PM to turn in their credentials. Good riddance. Real journalism doesn’t require special exemptions from security protocols—it thrives within them.

Key Takeaways

• Pentagon requires press to follow standard military base security protocols
• Major outlets refusing basic pledge about unauthorized information disclosure
• Hegseth dismisses media complaints with wave emoji, calls access “privilege not right”
• Only OAN agreed to reasonable security requirements among major outlets

Sources: The Post Millennial, The Washington Post