NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration has increased the number of news organizations being evicted from their workspaces at the Pentagon, a move perceived as an effort to make room for more favorable media outlets. On a recent Friday, it was announced that CNN, The Washington Post, The Hill, and War Zone would need to vacate their spaces, to be replaced by outlets such as Newsmax, the Washington Examiner, the Daily Caller, and the Free Press. This decision was communicated in a memo from John Ullyot, the acting assistant to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Pentagon Press Association has labeled this decision as "unreasonable," describing it as part of a broader pattern of hostility by the Trump administration toward the press. Earlier in the week, the administration also announced plans to cancel media subscriptions funded by federal agencies. In his memo, Ullyot justified the eviction by stating that it would allow other outlets an opportunity to cover important military activities closely from within the Pentagon.
Typically, news organizations occupy office space in prominent locations such as the White House and state Capitols to facilitate easier access to officials, enabling them to report quickly. Although the Pentagon has not barred the evicted outlets from covering its activities, it has created additional logistical challenges for them.
CNN, in response to the eviction, emphasized that its commitment to reporting on the Department of Defense, the U.S. military, and the Trump administration will remain steadfast, regardless of the office location. The network expressed that it will continue its duty to hold all entities accountable fairly and thoroughly.
Previously, the Pentagon had already announced that NBC News, The New York Times, NPR, and Politico would also need to vacate their office spaces. In their place, more supportive outlets like One America News Network, The New York Post, Breitbart News, and Huffpost were set to move in. Each of these displaced organizations—The Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and Politico—has faced criticism from President Trump, while the incoming outlets have been perceived as more favorable in their coverage of the administration.
None of the new outlets have requested additional space from the Pentagon Press Association, which typically seeks workspaces for journalists. The association noted some of these organizations already have established locations within the Pentagon. In a statement issued on Friday, the association expressed its "shock and deep disappointment" regarding the recent policy changes.
The association highlighted their view that there are no actual space constraints within the Pentagon. Moreover, they noted that an offer to accommodate all interested news organizations was dismissed. Many media outlets investing in their Pentagon workspaces have done so to secure reliable internet access and, in the case of television networks, proper wiring needed for live broadcasts, particularly during urgent news events.
Ullyot countered the press's concerns, arguing that the majority of outlets covering the Pentagon do not have designated office spaces, and that some television outlets manage well by bringing in equipment on a daily basis. This ongoing situation reflects an increasing tension between the Trump administration and major news organizations that have traditionally covered U.S. military affairs.
