Reporter From Pentagon-Owned Newspaper Says He Was 'Not Approved' For Hegseth's Press Conference

“Seems a bit odd since the Pentagon published a memo with changes to the newspaper, including content overhaul,” the Stars and Stripes reporter said.

The Pentagon barred its own military news publication, Stars and Stripes, from atttending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s press conference on Thursday, claiming there was no room.

Stars and Stripes Pentagon reporter Matthew Adams told followers on X Thursday that the publication “was not approved by the Pentagon to attend this press conference.”

“Seems a bit odd since the Pentagon published a memo with changes to the newspaper, including content overhaul,” Adams wrote, noting how, earlier this month, the Pentagon sent out an eight-page memo detailing plans to “modernize” the outlet.

Former Stars and Stripes reporter Kevin Baron slammed the Pentagon, writing that it had “blackballed its own newspaper from covering its own press conference.”

“Reminder, Stars & Stripes employees are US Army civilians. Their editorial independence is protected by Congress specifically to prevent political leaders from feeding troops propaganda,” Baron said.