Journalists turn in press passes as Pentagon clamps down on access in ‘unprecedented’ move

(CNN) — A flyer with the words “journalism is not a crime” appeared Tuesday on the wall outside the “Correspondents’ Corridor” where journalists operate at the Pentagon.

It was a silent protest of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s new policy that severely restricts press access.

The policy criminalizes routine reporting, according to media lawyers and advocates, so news outlets are refusing to abide by it. Instead, they are giving up their access to the building, while vowing to continue thoroughly covering Hegseth and the military from outside the Pentagon’s five walls.

On Tuesday, as Pentagon beat reporters started to turn in their press passes, some noticed and appreciated the “journalism is not a crime” poster.

On Wednesday, others noticed that the poster had been removed. But ther