The Pentagon has announced a new “annual media rotation program” that will see major news outlets replaced with newer, pro-Trump media organizations in its press corps workspace. The change, set to take effect on February 14, will see One America News Network (OANN) replace NBC News, Breitbart take over NPR’s space, The New York Post move into The New York Times’ office, and HuffPost replace Politico.
The initiative, outlined in an internal memo by Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Ullyot, is aimed at broadening access to the limited workspace in the “Correspondents’ Corridor.” The decision, however, has drawn criticism from journalists and press freedom advocates who argue that it undermines established news coverage at the Defense Department.
NBC News expressed disappointment over losing its longtime workspace, stating the move creates obstacles to delivering national security news. NPR’s replacement by Breitbart, a conservative news website with minimal radio presence, has also raised concerns. Similarly, One America News, a far-right TV outlet, lacks the audience reach of NBC.
The decision follows the appointment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host. While Ullyot emphasized that displaced outlets will retain full press access, critics argue the move favors ideologically aligned media over traditional, mainstream journalism.
The National Press Club has voiced concern over the policy, urging the Defense Department to clarify its reasoning. Former Pentagon Press Association VP Kevin Baron warned that reducing newsroom access weakens journalistic oversight of the military.
With just two weeks’ notice given, the abrupt nature of the shift has fueled speculation that it may be politically motivated rather than an effort to enhance media diversity.
