The recent guidance from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has sparked significant concern within the military and Congress. The directive mandates Defense Department personnel to obtain prior approval before discussing numerous sensitive topics with lawmakers.
Key Topics Requiring Approval
This list includes critical areas such as:
- Sensitive military operations
- US military strikes on drug boats in Latin America
- Maritime activities within the Southern Command area
- Homeland Missile Defense Acquisition Reform
- National Defense Strategy
Other topics on the list encompass budget plans, Foreign Military Sales reform, AUKUS security partnerships, and issues related to anomalous health incidents, often referred to as “Havana Syndrome.”
Reactions from Congress
Republican Representative Don Bacon criticized the policy, arguing it creates a communication barrier between military personnel and Congress. He expressed his frustrations on social media, highlighting that military leaders historically encouraged collaboration with lawmakers.
Concerns Over Military-Congress Relations
As Congress faces mounting dissatisfaction over communication issues, Representative Bacon noted, “The new rules have put a large barrier between the military and Congress.” He also mentioned that military members now seem hesitant to engage with their congressional representatives.
Both Senate Armed Services Committee leaders, Senator Roger Wicker and Senator Jack Reed, had previously sent letters to Hegseth regarding military operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Their inquiries, however, have gone unanswered.
Increased Control Over Information
Hegseth’s guidance is seen as part of a broader effort to tighten control over military communications. This includes restricting the interactions of Defense Department personnel with external parties such as reporters and think tanks. Last month, numerous journalists relinquished their press badges in protest of these new restrictions.
As tensions rise over this communication policy, the Pentagon maintains that these changes are minimal. However, their impact on military-congressional relations continues to be felt, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
