A recent Pentagon Inspector General’s report details Defense Secretary Hegseth’s actions, revealing he had a unique system installed in his secure office to access his personal cell phone. This system, which mirrored the phone’s content and connected it to a monitor and keyboard, was created to allow the secretary access to non-official communications. The report stemmed from an investigation into Hegseth’s use of Signal to share sensitive information about US airstrikes, potentially risking the safety of US military personnel. The investigation concluded that Hegseth’s actions created a risk to operational security, despite the secretary’s claims of no endangerment.
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The New York Times filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon, challenging new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that have effectively banned most mainstream media outlets from the building. The Times argues the rules violate constitutional freedoms by granting Hegseth the sole power to ban reporters, leading to the exclusion of outlets like the Times, the Associated Press, and others. Despite the denial of access, these outlets continue to report on the military, highlighting stories that the Pentagon may not like. The Times believes this viewpoint discrimination case is strengthened by the lack of credentials for its reporters, while the Pentagon defends the policy as necessary to protect the military.
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The New York Times is taking legal action against the Department of Defense over new press access restrictions at the Pentagon. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, challenges a policy implemented in October that reporters view as an attempt to control reporting and violate First and Fifth Amendment rights. The Times seeks to have the policy declared unconstitutional and an injunction against its enforcement, while other news organizations are expected to support the case. This move comes as the Pentagon has welcomed pro-Trump influencers and content creators to replace veteran journalists who refused to comply with the new rules.
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The Defense Department Inspector General’s report found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared classified information regarding a military operation in Yemen via an unclassified Signal chat. This information, marked as “secret,” included details about the timing of U.S. strikes and could have endangered American troops if intercepted. Furthermore, the report concluded that Hegseth violated military regulations by using his personal phone for official business, although the inspector general did not address if proper steps were taken to declassify the shared information. Despite the findings, a Pentagon spokesman stated that the review was a “TOTAL exoneration” and declared the matter closed, while Senator Mark Kelly noted the violation of regulations and cautioned against future occurrences.
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A Pentagon watchdog found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth risked U.S. personnel and mission security by sharing sensitive information about a military strike against Yemen’s Houthi militants via the Signal app. The report concluded that Hegseth violated Pentagon policy by using a personal device for official business, recommending improved training for officials. The investigation was initiated after a journalist was inadvertently added to a Signal chat revealing details, including strike timings. Although Hegseth maintains the information was unclassified, lawmakers raised concerns, with some suggesting that such actions would warrant dismissal for lower-ranking military personnel.
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Republicans have largely remained silent regarding Hegseth’s actions, which have resulted in numerous casualties. However, GOP-led committees in both the House and Senate are now focusing their attention on the Pentagon, requesting a thorough investigation into the September boat strikes. Chairmen of the Armed Services committees are demanding access to audio and video recordings of the incident, with the intention of uncovering the facts. Senator Tillis is specifically seeking clarity on whether Hegseth ordered a subsequent strike, which resulted in the death of survivors.
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The Pentagon has recently undergone a shift in its press corps, with several right-wing outlets and influencers, including Laura Loomer, gaining credentials. These new arrivals, however, immediately faced criticism after mistakenly claiming to occupy the desk of a Washington Post reporter, leading to mockery and corrections from the ousted press corps. The transition has raised concerns about the objectivity of reporting, especially with the Trump administration’s defense strategies and its military buildup in the Caribbean, coming under scrutiny. The shakeup comes amidst increasing questions regarding the legality of military actions.
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This week, several major news outlets have been denied access to Pentagon briefings, which are instead being held for media organizations approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move comes as investigations are underway regarding U.S. military strikes. These new briefings are part of a special orientation event for a new Pentagon press corps primarily comprised of conservative outlets that agreed to new operational rules. Many mainstream outlets left the Pentagon in the fall after refusing to agree to the new rules.
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Far-right activist Laura Loomer has been granted a credential and a desk at the Pentagon, causing a stir of mixed reactions. Loomer celebrated her access to the Department of Defense headquarters, previously occupied by Washington Post reporters. Reactions ranged from sarcastic well-wishes to criticisms, with some journalists expressing concern over the implications of this change. The event triggered commentary across social media regarding the state of journalism and national security.
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A prominent conservative voice, Andrew C. McCarthy, has condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s actions in a Caribbean drug boat strike as potentially a war crime. McCarthy argues that the order to kill survivors of the initial strike, even if the administration claims armed conflict, violates the laws of war. Furthermore, McCarthy highlights that Hegseth’s defense on social media failed to address the report’s specific assertions. Senators have pledged oversight into the incident, while legal experts like Todd Huntley have labeled the attack as murder.
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John Q. Hosedrinker