(MENAFN) Several leading American media organizations—including the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, Associated Press, and Reuters—have rejected new press accreditation rules introduced by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, according to reports.

The updated Pentagon policy would allow officials to classify journalists as “a security or safety risk” if they contact Department of War employees for sensitive information to include in their reporting. Outlets were reportedly instructed to sign the new agreement by Tuesday or lose their press credentials the following day.

In a statement on Monday, the Washington Post said the rules “undercut First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints” on reporters. The New York Times similarly accused the Pentagon of attempting to punish journalists for “ordinary news gathering.”

Other major outlets—including the Wall Street Journal, NPR, The Atlantic, CNN, AP, and Reuters—have also declined to comply. Even Newsmax, which has generally been supportive of President Donald Trump’s administration, described the new terms as “unnecessary and onerous,” urging the Pentagon to reconsider.

Many of the outlets that refused to sign said they would continue reporting on US military affairs despite the potential loss of access.

In response to the backlash, Hegseth posted a waving-hand emoji on X beneath statements released by the Washington Post, the New York Times, and others, signaling their impending removal.

Defending the policy, Hegseth said the measures are intended to ensure that “press no longer roams free… wear visible badge… [and] no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts.”

The Pentagon Press Association, representing journalists covering the Department of War, said last week that Hegseth has been “systematically limiting access to information about the US military” since the start of the Trump administration.

Hegseth had previously evicted reporters from NBC News, the New York Times, and Politico from their Pentagon office spaces—though they retained entry privileges—and restricted most unescorted movement by journalists within the department’s headquarters.

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