Pentagon Tightens Staff Communication Controls With Congress

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has implemented a new policy requiring Pentagon personnel to obtain approval before communicating with Congress, aiming to centralize and control the flow of information from the Department of War, the rebranded name for the Defense Department pending congressional approval. The directive emphasizes coordinated messaging to support legislative goals focused on deterrence, military rebuilding, and reviving the warrior ethos. This shift marks a departure from prior practices where military services and agencies independently interacted with Congress, raising concerns that delayed communications could hinder timely legislative decisions. Concurrently, restrictions on press access have intensified, prompting many Defense Department journalists to vacate their Pentagon offices. Pentagon officials describe these changes as pragmatic steps to improve accuracy and transparency in Congressional communications without altering how Congress receives information. Critics warn that these tighter controls may undermine the collaborative partnership needed between the Pentagon and Congress for effective military oversight and funding.