Pentagon Boots Legacy Media, Makes Room for Conservative Outlets in Historic Shakeup
Paul Riverbank, 2/3/2025Pentagon removes legacy media outlets, adds conservative voices in historic press facility reorganization.
In a seismic shift that signals fundamental changes in Washington's media landscape, the Pentagon has announced a dramatic reorganization of its press facilities — effectively reshaping how America's military headquarters communicates with the public.
The transformation sees longtime establishment fixtures — The New York Times, NBC, NPR, and Politico — losing their permanent housing within the Pentagon's press facilities. In their place, a more diverse array of media outlets including the New York Post, Breitbart, Huffington Post, and One America News will rotate through these coveted positions.
This restructuring reflects a broader transformation in how government institutions engage with media outlets — a change that extends beyond the Pentagon's walls. As one administration insider noted, "This President is here to change America."
The implications are profound. For decades, legacy media outlets maintained what amounted to territorial rights within key government institutions. The New York Times — despite its increasingly partisan stance — held court alongside other establishment heavyweights. Now, these dynamics are being forcefully reconstructed.
"The days of corruption are gone," declares the administration, signaling a clear break from traditional media hierarchies. This reorganization appears particularly pointed given that the New York Post — America's oldest newspaper, founded by Alexander Hamilton himself — had previously been excluded from these permanent arrangements.
The changes mirror similar transformations at the White House, where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced plans for broader media access. This suggests a coordinated effort across executive branches to democratize institutional access — a move that has sent shockwaves through Washington's media establishment.
Critics argue this represents a dangerous departure from established norms. Supporters, however, see it as a necessary correction to what they view as decades of media bias. As one commentator observed, "Everyone is allowed to come to a different conclusion on what a series of facts might mean. But the telling of those facts must be an honest one with truthful substance."
The Pentagon emphasizes that displaced outlets will retain their credentials and access — they'll simply need to "do it the old fashioned way -- show up with your gear everyday and report the facts." This qualification suggests a subtle rebuke to what some perceive as complacency among established media players.
Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of digital-first outlets like One America News — a move that acknowledges the evolving nature of modern media consumption. This integration of new media platforms alongside traditional outlets represents a significant departure from historical precedent.
The restructuring comes amid broader institutional changes across Washington — from Justice Department reorganizations to shifts in border policy. These changes, while controversial, reflect a determined effort to reshape how government institutions interact with the fourth estate.
As these changes take root, their impact extends beyond mere seating arrangements. They represent a fundamental challenge to established power structures within Washington's media ecosystem — structures that have remained largely unchanged for generations. Whether this leads to more diverse, truthful reporting or further polarization remains to be seen, but the transformation is undeniably underway.
