The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly instructed four prominent news organizations to vacate their press room spaces, citing an annual media rotation program. The move has raised concerns that the Trump administration may be taking steps to sideline critical media outlets, particularly given President Donald Trump’s longstanding disputes with mainstream media.
According to a CNN report on Saturday, Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Elliott sent a memo to the press corps announcing that the Department of Defense would implement an “annual media rotation program.” The memo explained that this initiative aims to expand access to the Pentagon’s limited press room space, offering room to media outlets that have either not previously had access or have not contributed sufficiently to the department’s journalistic goals.
As a result, four major media outlets—the New York Times (NYT), NBC News, National Public Radio (NPR), and political news outlet Politico—have been instructed to vacate their spots by February 14.
Outlets like the New York Post, One America News Network (OANN), Breitbart News, and HuffPost will take over their spaces.
Elliott clarified that the move is part of the routine media rotation process. Current press corps members relinquished their spaces to accommodate new outlets. He assured that the evicted outlets would retain full access to briefings and other Pentagon events as regular press corps members.
Despite the Pentagon’s explanation, critics argue that it’s difficult to view this decision as purely administrative.
The four outlets facing eviction have consistently reported on the Trump administration and its controversies, including those surrounding the new Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. In contrast, the incoming media organizations—New York Post, OANN, and Breitbart—are widely regarded as pro-Trump, while HuffPost, despite its progressive leanings, does not currently have a permanent reporter at the Pentagon.
Mike Balsamo, president of the National Press Club (NPC), expressed deep concern about the Pentagon’s move, stating, “Any action that restricts journalists’ ability to report on government operations raises red flags for anyone who values transparency and press freedom.”
NBC News also regretted the decision: “While this move creates significant obstacles to reporting in the public interest, NBC will continue to report with the same integrity and thoroughness as always.”
HuffPost similarly responded, saying, “If the Trump administration and Hegseth want stronger coverage of the Pentagon, we are ready.”