A dramatic overhaul of the Pentagon press corps, following a mass walkout of established journalists, has created a media pool dominated by pro-Trump commentators and right-wing bloggers, an investigation reveals. The shift raises profound concerns about the scrutiny of US military and defence policy under the Trump administration.
The Credential Surrender and a New Media Landscape
In a defining moment late last year, the Pentagon's traditional press corps was effectively dismantled. In October, nearly all credentialed reporters from mainstream media organisations chose to surrender their press passes rather than sign a stringent new 21-page Pentagon agreement. The document imposed severe limits on journalistic activities, including pledges not to obtain unauthorised material, effectively restricting reporting to officially sanctioned information.
This exodus created a vacuum, which the Pentagon filled by credentialing dozens of figures from the pro-Trump media sphere. The new cohort includes representatives from platforms like The Gateway Pundit, an outlet known for promoting falsehoods about the 2020 election, and Lindell TV, the streaming channel of MyPillow CEO and conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell. Also among them is John Konrad, CEO of the maritime news site gCaptain, who has publicly praised Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for his "thousand-watt lightbulb of charisma."
Coverage of Venezuela Raid Highlights Sycophantic Tone
The implications of this shift became starkly apparent following the controversial US military operation in Venezuela, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve. The mission, which saw troops capture President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, was widely criticised as a violation of international law.
Instead of rigorous questioning, the new Pentagon press corps responded with effusive praise. The Gateway Pundit hailed the "stunning operation," while LindellTV published an article titled "FOUR reasons why 'Operation Absolute Resolve' simply ROCKED." John Konrad took to social media platform X to urge the public to "give ALL your thanks to the military members who risked their lives." Other new members, like right-wing influencer Cam Higby, used the moment to celebrate Trump, having previously claimed the former president deserved the Nobel Peace Prize "more than anyone else."
Melissa Wall, a journalism professor at California State University, Northridge, characterised the new press corps to Wired as "armchair warriors" who largely parrot military messaging. "Are they actually getting any real information? Are they just taking press releases or whatever is given to them?" she questioned.
White House Defence and Lasting Concerns
The White House has vigorously defended the change. Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson stated the previous press corps were "almost entirely left-wing people who acted as activists," while the new group is "dedicated to telling the truth." Wilson pointed to a post-operation press conference at Mar-a-Lago as evidence of continued access.
However, with President Trump continuing an aggressive foreign policy stance—including threats to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal—the need for a robust, independent press corps to scrutinise the Pentagon is more critical than ever. The current incarnation, bound by restrictive agreements and populated by sympathetic voices, appears fundamentally ill-equipped for that vital democratic role, leaving a major question mark over the accountability of US defence and military actions.
