National Security Leaders for America Condemns Pentagon’s Demand for ‘pre-clearance’ of any and all factual reporting

Unprecedented disregard for the Constitution, absent any national security considerations, undermines law, good order, and effectiveness.

September 22, 2025

Washington, DC, National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) today condemned the Pentagon’s new rule that journalists covering the Pentagon beat must pledge not to report to the public any lawfully obtained news and information, regardless of classification status, that does not pass their new ‘pre-clearance’ standards. The organization called the rule a massive step away from the transparency and scrutiny that prevents groupthink.

“Demanding journalists adhere across the board to state edicts about what may - or may not - be reported to the public does not project strength. To the contrary, it betrays unsettling insecurities about the legality and effectiveness of Pentagon actions, plans and priorities,” said NSL4A President and Founder retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, noting “Our membership includes many former senior Department of Defense political appointees, as well as general and flag officers; we know how frustrating it can be when plans get out before they’re ready. We know how crucial it is to protect classified information and material, especially when its release could put sources and methods at risk. But the idea that only state sanctioned information is all that can ever be reported to the public flies in the face of the crucial role journalism plays in ensuring our armed forces are accountable to the American people. ”

Retired Rear Admiral Tom Jurkowsky, former Chief of Navy Information, stated that “Journalists at the Pentagon play a critical role, and Secretary Hegseth is being shortsighted in demanding journalists make this pledge. The public has a right and a responsibility to understand what the military is doing in their name, and that is not possible without an aggressive, sometimes adversarial press.”

Former speech writer for the Secretary of the Navy Neal Urwitz noted, “the press subjects the Pentagon’s work and plans to scrutiny that ultimately makes those plans stronger or even prevents the worst plans from ever being implemented.”

NSL4A supports active engagement between members of the media and department officials. A healthy relationship between the fourth state and Pentagon officials is essential to communicating critical information about American national security to the public and has, in rare circumstances, uncovered unacceptable activities that might have otherwise remained hidden.

“From the Pentagon papers to the abuses at Abu Ghraib, the press plays an essential role in rooting out illegal activities, waste, and fraud,” said Jurkowsky.

Undermining the role of journalists as a watchdog undermines law, good order, and military readiness.