Pete Hegseth Goes to War With Press Photographers
The Pentagon reportedly banned photography at briefings because the Secretary of War complained about “unflattering” photos.
In these unbelievably trying times, as the United States stands embroiled in a string of scary and heartbreaking international conflicts, we as a people expect one thing above all else from our Defense Secretary: image control. Luckily, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, alleged war criminal and highest-ranking military official (under the President), has his priorities in order, and has banned press photographers from Pentagon briefings on the US-Israeli military conflict with Iran, ongoing since the end of February.
According to the Washington Post, based on anonymous sources, the move to ban press photographers is a response to photographs that circulated following the March 2 briefing — Hegseth’s first press address since June of last year — which the Defense Secretary (sorry ::checks notes:: Secretary of War) found “unflattering.”
It is unclear whether one specific photo has led to this abrupt cessation of the First Amendment, or simply the totality of photos has somehow ruffled Hegseth. This is particularly shocking, given that, as a former Fox News co-host, literally the only qualification this man has to meet the varied and important responsibilities of his high office is the ability to have his picture taken.
"In order to use space in the Pentagon Briefing Room effectively, we are allowing one representative per news outlet if uncredentialed, excluding pool,” Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said in a statement released on March 11. “Photographs from the briefings are immediately released online for the public and press to use.”
Listen, yes, we are embroiled in a high-stakes military conflict with resounding implications for the future stability of the Middle East (at minimum), which incidentally runs exactly counter to the campaign promises that got our current commander-in-chief elected. But if it is so dang important for the press to report on it, why did they photograph Hegseth’s bad side? Do you truly expect the God of War — sorry, Secretary of Defense — to passively abide this act of aggression? As a high representative of a nation, it is Hegseth’s duty to defend our rights, except for the first one, I guess. The one about whether we get to keep our guns is really the important one, as we all know.
And honestly, I don’t totally blame Hegseth on this. If I were accused of committing war crimes like blowing up the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Iran, I wouldn’t want members of the Hague to have a current photo of me, either.
