Pentagon tightens rules for officials speaking at think tank events

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has issued a directive restricting what military officials can say on think tank panels.

According to a copy obtained by POLITICO, Hegseth’s memorandum regulates which public events military and Pentagon civilian personnel can attend and speak at, and what conditions they must meet before receiving approval.

The restrictions apply to all events not organized by the US government.

This policy provides more detailed guidance on the limitations imposed in July, which prohibited officials from speaking at many think tank events, but it still does not specify which events are banned. The initial rules led to complaints from academics and US allies.

This directive is the latest in a series of measures Hegseth has taken to keep the Pentagon out of the public eye. The Department of Defense told journalists on Friday that they could enter the building if they agreed not to publish certain information.

These measures, taken after increasingly restricted press access to the building, highlight Hegseth’s concerns about unauthorized information leaking from the department.

These steps follow heavy criticism he faced in March for sharing sensitive messages about US military strikes in Yemen in a Signal group chat that included a journalist, and for firing most of his staff the following month.

This policy tightens how defense officials can engage with outside groups. It expands participation restrictions for many events and requires written approval from the Pentagon’s top public affairs office.

Only a very small number of activities are exempt from these rules. These include industry sessions organized by the Pentagon, air shows, parades, certain briefings for those with security clearances, and some foreign government meetings.

Some defense officials have avoided engaging with think tanks while awaiting clearer guidance. Conflicting emails circulated from the Department of Defense, and press officers monitored social media for clues. The policy has reverberated through meetings of defense companies and officials, sparking fears among some industry representatives that it will stifle innovation and collaboration.

Retired Colonel Thom Green, president of the Michigan chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association, said, “It is crucial to consistently collaborate face-to-face between our military, industry, and academia to ensure we are doing the right things and are on the right path. We are nonpartisan. We support the warfighters, whether they are Army soldiers, US Marines, Navy sailors, Air Force airmen, or Space Force guardians. You name it.”

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said this is the result of a process that began in July to “comprehensively review all external relations to ensure the department does not lend its name and reputation to organizations, forums, and events that are contrary to the values of this administration.”

One defense official said this shows how the Trump administration is backtracking on its promise to eliminate bureaucracy.