Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced backlash after security personnel threatened to physically remove reporters from his first Pentagon briefing in six months on Tuesday, as a member of Congress introduced articles of impeachment.
Minutes before the session began, security personnel warned journalists that anyone who failed to maintain proper decorum would be evicted from the room, according to accounts shared on social media by reporters present at the Pentagon.
Blaze News correspondent Benjamin Roberts said that officials informed reporters they would face physical removal if they did something silly, which sparked an extended exchange between staff and members of the press corps. Epoch Times reporter Ryan Morgan also said that reporters questioned the unusual directive, while Washington Times Pentagon reporter Mike Glenn remarked on the intense screening process required to enter the building.
Pentagon officials at Secretary Hegseth’s briefing just informed reporters they will be “physically removed from the event” if they “do something silly.” Prompted an extended back-and-forth between some reporters and staff. pic.twitter.com/XEBR8ASUTL
“A security agent for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just warned the reporters here — for Hegseth’s first press conference in 6 months — that we will be physically removed from the briefing room if we are not professional and maintain decorum,” wrote Washington Post correspondent Tara Copp on X.
When journalists shouted questions asking for clarification on the warning, an official stated it meant keeping decorum and noted he was simply following orders, Vanity Fair Washington Correspondent Aidan McLaughlin reported.
At Pete Hegseth’s briefing this morning, an official came out to tell reporters that if anyone "gets out of line" they will be "removed physically." Reporters shouted back "what does that mean?" Official said it meant to maintain "decorum" and added he was just relaying orders.
Daily Wire White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olohan said that security clarified aggressive questions would not count against reporters, while other journalists observed the unusual nature of the security posture. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez subsequently attempted to clarify the directives off the record, but departed after reporters declined those conditions, Punchbowl News defense reporter, Briana Reilly noted.
The tense atmosphere inside the briefing room coincided with formal legislative actions against the defense secretary in Washington. Representative Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth, accusing him of constitutional violations by conducting military operations in Iran without authorization from Congress.
“This is not oversight, and it’s not accountability. It’s a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of Massie during the briefing.
The filing includes specific allegations regarding speech suppression, with All Rise News Editor-in-Chief Adam Klasfeld pointing to provisions in the resolution addressing retaliation against members of Congress for protected expression. Amid the mounting pressure from Capitol Hill, President Donald Trump stated on social media that he would continue supporting Hegseth regardless of the impeachment effort.
ARTICLE VI against Pete Hegseth: Suppressing Free Speech https://t.co/xn7FSGDeP1 pic.twitter.com/LZN32FCxX0
More on Pete Hegseth
A security agent for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just warned the reporters here — for Hegseth’s first press conference in 6 months — that we will be physically removed from the briefing room if we are not professional and maintain decorum. We asked if that meant no shouted… pic.twitter.com/BfnBg025ih
An inauspicious start to the first Pentagon press briefing in six months: https://t.co/YECa5DOEOb
Hegseth's briefing comes as the House is slated to take initial action today on an impeachment resolution targeting the lightning-rod Pentagon chief. Whips notice shows it'll be a vote on a procedural motion. More on the impeachment politics in AM: https://t.co/JTWESGtOKo pic.twitter.com/oWALWo8sJc
First Pentagon press briefing since May, and the first since the midterms. Hegseth set to address the impeachment push against him. Warnings before the briefing about reporters being removed from the room for acting out. Pushback from reporters questioning this unusual… pic.twitter.com/NLhuKQ8hh5
For the first time since I’ve been coming to the Pentagon – since Trump 1 – a security person said we’d be removed from the press briefing room if we didn’t “maintain decorum.” This isn’t the Hill where anyone can wander in. We basically get a colonoscopy to get in here
No clarification yet on what would trigger a reporter's removal from this briefing. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez came out briefly to clarify, on the condition that his comments be off the record. When reporters refused to agree to that condition, he left.
Good morning from the Pentagon! Secretary of War Pete Hegseth takes the podium at 8am. Security just announced that they will remove anyone who is rowdy/violates the Pentagon’s policies on decorum or unprofessional conduct (aggressive questions do not count, they clarified). pic.twitter.com/TcMhynKf6x