California Gov. Gavin Newsom has mocked the self-styled “Secretary of War” Pete Hegseth over the apparent reasons behind his latest press crackdown.

Hegseth has decreed that he was ripping up the rule book on how journalists operate in the Pentagon, limiting newsgathering with a set of restrictive rules, which detractors say are designed to gag reporters.

A standoff over the new order has seen some usually loyal media outlets side with NPR and The New York Times against Hegseth.

Responding to pushback against the move, Hegseth wrote on X, “Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right.” He then offered a guide to “Department of War press credentialing FOR DUMMIES.”

“Press no longer roams free. Press must wear visible badge. Credentialed press no longer permitted to solicit criminal ac

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