Pete Hegseth cracks down on Pentagon staff speaking to Congress

The Defense Department is significantly changing its policy of interacting with Congress, according to a new, five-page memo obtained by NBC News.

The memo, whose authenticity was confirmed by a Defense Department official, instructs all Pentagon personnel, except for the inspector general’s office, to seek approval before they communicate with lawmakers and staff members on Capitol Hill and other elected officials.

Dated Oct. 15, the memo, which is signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, appears to order Pentagon officials — including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — to obtain permission from the department’s legislative affairs office for any communication with Capitol Hill.

The memo says that “effective immediately,” personne