War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is setting “clear rules” to crack down on leaks, saying it will be similar to press clearances for the White House.
Hegseth said Pentagon leaks are illegal and insisted the Pentagon is doing “everything we can” to minimize leaks. He also said it is “disgusting” when journalists solicit classified information they receive from the Pentagon, and this is why the department has a policy on what clearances journalists will have in the building.
Hegseth added that the Pentagon will use “whatever tools we need” when asked about possibly using polygraphs as part of this move to combat leaks.
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“We’re setting clear rules at the Pentagon. We’re not playing games. We’re not allowing anybody to roam around the building. … If you were a Pentagon reporter, you could just walk around the building. No badge, no escort, no nothing, walk into offices, talk to anybody — who knows where there’s classified information?” Hegseth said on Fox News’s The Sunday Briefing.
Hegseth said the Pentagon’s press rules will be “more like the White House” and added that reporters can still be in the press area and the briefing room. However, those who want to explore the building will need a badge and must be escorted under the expectation that they won’t leak classified information.
“The Pentagon press corps can squeal all they want. We’re taking these things seriously. They can report; they just need to make sure they’re following rules,” Hegseth said.
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Hegseth also said he is aware of increased pizza orders correlating with Pentagon action, with the former being a possible indicator for military strikes. He said he’s thought of making massive pizza orders on “random nights just to throw everybody off.”
On Sept. 30, Hegseth announced that he would enforce shaving and physical fitness standards in the military. He argued it’s “completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon.”
