Hegseth Changes Pentagon Policy        10/22 06:12

   

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- Leaders at the Pentagon have significantly altered how 
military officials will speak with Congress after a pair of new memos issued 
last week.

   In an Oct. 15 memo, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his deputy, Steve 
Feinberg, ordered Pentagon officials -- including the chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff -- to obtain permission from the department's main legislative 
affairs office before they have any communication with Capitol Hill.

   The memo was issued the same day the vast majority of Pentagon reporters 
exited the building rather than agree to the Defense Department's new 
restrictions on their work, and it appears to be part of a broader effort by 
Hegseth to exert tighter control over what the department communicates to the 
outside world.

   According to the memo, a copy of which was authenticated by a Pentagon 
official, "unauthorized engagements with Congress by (Pentagon) personnel 
acting in their official capacity, no matter how well-intentioned, may 
undermine Department-wide priorities critical to achieving our legislative 
objectives."

   Sean Parnell, the top Pentagon spokesman, called the move a "pragmatic step" 
that's part of an effort "to improve accuracy and responsiveness in 
communicating with the Congress to facilitate increased transparency."

   Previously, individual agencies and military branches within the Pentagon 
were able to manage their own communications with Congress.

   A second memo, issued Oct. 17, directed a "working group to further define 
the guidance on legislative engagements."

   The memos were first reported by the website Breaking Defense.