Defense Secretary Hegseth says he fully supports Trump’s White House media ban

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly endorsed President Donald Trump’s recent directive to bar several news organizations—CNN, MSNBC and Politico—from White House press facilities. Speaking on Friday, Hegseth said he “fully supports” the administration’s decision, arguing that the outlets “endangered” national security by disseminating misinformation and compromising operational integrity.

The ban, announced earlier this week, marks a notable escalation in the administration’s approach to media relations, following a series of disputes over coverage of defense and foreign‑policy matters. While the White House has not detailed specific incidents that prompted the action, officials cited concerns that the targeted outlets repeatedly published content deemed harmful to the nation’s security interests. The move has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates, who warn that restricting access to the presidential press corps could undermine transparency and accountability in government.