The Pentagon has defended its decision to ban reporters from its press office by converting the space into a classified room. This move, part of the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to restrict media access to the Defense Department, was announced on Monday by Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez via X. The press office has been redesignated as a "Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility" (SCIF).
Reason for the Change
Valdez explained that the change was necessary because speechwriters from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office share the workspace and "routinely handle classified material and require SIPRNet access." SIPRNet, or Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, is a system used by the Defense and State Departments to share classified information, as reported by The Hill.
Journalists No Longer Permitted
"As a result, journalists will no longer be permitted to enter the office space. There's nothing controversial about that," Valdez stated. The Washington Post first reported the new designation. The Independent has reached out to the Pentagon for further comment. This is a developing story.
