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In Trump’s America, the Pentagon now resembles Saudi Arabia for journalists

Maureen Dowd New York Times columnist October 20, 2025 — 8.00am

It is a truth generally acknowledged that Pete Hegseth is a muttonhead. But I come not to bury the self-proclaimed “secretary of war” – rather, to praise him.

He is going to spur some superlative Pentagon coverage. Because nothing gets a bunch of reporters going like being forced out of the building where they work and being told they aren’t allowed to do their jobs.

The Pentagon has said it will deny credentials to reporters who seek information that has not been approved for release. Hegseth already cut off access to large swaths of the Pentagon to reporters without escorts.

Journalists have

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