A new edict by the Pentagon is reportedly barring press photographers from briefings did to “unflattering” images of War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Photographers from major wire services — including the Associated Press, Reuters and Getty Images — were at a March 2 Pentagon briefing, when Hegseth appeared alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. The two gave their first update on Operation Epic Fury after initial strikes started Feb. 28.
When images from the event circulated, Hegseth’s aides complained internally about how the defense secretary looked in the photographs, per The Washington Post Wednesday.
Two people familiar with the situation spoke anonymously to The Post.
Even though they spoke anonymously out of fear of retaliation, they claimed some staffers found the pictures “unflattering.”
Photographers were then barred from two subsequent briefings — on March 4 and March 10, the sources alleged. Since then, only Defense Department staff photographers have been permitted inside the briefing room, the sources said.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson told the newspaper the move was made due to space and credentialing requirements, not displeasure over the images themselves.
“In order to use space in the Pentagon Briefing Room effectively, we are allowing one representative per news outlet if uncredentialed, excluding pool,” Wilson said. “Photographs from the briefings are immediately released online for the public and press to use. If that hurts the business model for certain news outlets, then they should consider applying for a Pentagon press credential. In order to use space in the Pentagon Briefing Room effectively, we are allowing one representative per news outlet if uncredentialed, excluding pool.”
“Photographs from the briefings are immediately released online for the public and press to use. If that hurts the business model for certain news outlets, then they should consider applying for a Pentagon press credential,” Wilson added.
Following the article’s publication, deputy press secretary Anna Kelly went on X and blasted the report as “fake outrage”:
Her reply to the newspaper was also to jab at recent layoffs: “Didn’t the Washington Post just fire all of its White House photographers?”
This isn’t the first time the media has clashed with the Pentagon in recent months.
Members of Pentagon press corps turned in their badges months ago and dozens walked out in united protest of a policy restricting journalists from soliciting information not authorized by the government.
