The Defense Department announced Monday that reporters would no longer be permitted to enter the Pentagon's press office because the space has been classified as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, or SCIF, due to the presence of personnel who handle classified material. Pentagon officials said journalists will continue to have access to press briefings and scheduled interviews, but they will not be allowed inside the office area that has traditionally served as a workspace and point of contact between military officials and the media.

The decision follows months of disputes between the Pentagon and major news organizations over new reporting rules introduced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In October 2025, dozens of journalists surrendered their Pentagon credentials rather than agree to restrictions that critics said would limit routine news-gathering practices. Several media organizations later challenged the policies in court, and a federal judge ruled earlier this year that portions of the Pentagon's access restrictions were unconstitutional. The legal dispute remains active as the government pursues an appeal.

The Pentagon has redesignated its press office as a secure facility, restricting journalist access.