Pentagon threatens to ‘physically’ remove reporters if they ‘get out of line’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's security warned journalists before a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday that reporters could be physically removed if they get out of line, according to NBC News and Alternet. The threat came as Hegseth fights to keep his job amid an impeachment threat. The Pentagon has revived press briefings, and Hegseth held one on November 10, 2026. The incident has prompted outcry over press access at the Defense Department.
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- ✓ Hegseth's security threatened journalists with removal from a Pentagon news conference, according to The Washington Post.
- ✓ NBC News reported that the Pentagon threatens to physically remove reporters if they get out of line.
- ✓ The Daily Beast reported that Hegseth unleashed a bizarre threat to Pentagon reporters.
- ✓ Alternet reported that journalists received vague threats in the minutes before Hegseth delivered a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday.
What changed
NBC News and Alternet reported on Tuesday that Hegseth's security threatened journalists with physical removal before his briefing, adding a specific physical-removal warning to the earlier reports of vague threats.
Live updates
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Pentagon threatens physical removal of reporters who get out of line
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's security warned journalists before a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday that reporters could be physically removed if they get out of line, according to NBC News and Alternet. The threat came as Hegseth fights to keep his job amid an impeachment threat. The Pentagon has revived press briefings, and Hegseth held one on November 10, 2026. The incident has prompted outcry over press access at the Defense Department.
Why it matters
Pentagon press briefings had lapsed before being revived recently. Hegseth faces an impeachment threat that has put his position in doubt. The threat to journalists occurred in the minutes before he took the podium. No specific reporter was named in the warning. The episode raises questions about how the Pentagon manages access for the press corps.
What is confirmed
- Hegseth's security threatened journalists with removal from a Pentagon news conference, according to The Washington Post.
- NBC News reported that the Pentagon threatens to physically remove reporters if they get out of line.
- The Daily Beast reported that Hegseth unleashed a bizarre threat to Pentagon reporters.
- Alternet reported that journalists received vague threats in the minutes before Hegseth delivered a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday.
- Axios reported that the Pentagon revived press briefings amid an impeachment threat against Hegseth.
- A U.S. Department of Defense notice listed a Pentagon press briefing by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on November 10, 2026.
Still unconfirmed
- The exact words used by Hegseth's security in the threat remain unconfirmed beyond the single NBC News report.
What to watch next
- Whether Hegseth survives the impeachment threat to his position
- Whether the Pentagon issues a public statement clarifying press removal rules
- Whether journalists are physically removed at a future briefing
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- The Washington Post — Hegseth’s security threatens journalists with removal from news conference
- Axios — Pentagon revives press briefings amid Hegseth impeachment threat
- The Daily Beast — Hegseth Unleashes Bizarre Threat to Pentagon Reporters
- U.S. Department of War (.gov) — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Hold Pentagon Press Briefing – November 10, 2026
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