Pentagon to Press: No More Backstage Passes
Trump’s War Department locks the side doors—and the media’s meltdown says it all.
Good Morning, it’s Sunday, September 21st, 2025.
The D.C. press corps just got its favorite toy taken away, and you’d think the First Amendment had been outlawed.
The Pentagon, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, is finally doing what every sane American assumed was already policy: keeping unsupervised media out of sensitive federal spaces. That means no more hallway hunting, no more unescorted strolls past secured rooms, and no more “anonymous sources” spotted outside classified briefings. Shocking, right?
But to the legacy media? It’s a five-alarm fire. CBS is already crying censorship. The Washington Post is writing obituaries for “transparency.” Meanwhile, the same reporters who cheered actual speech suppression under Obama and Biden are now pretending they’re the ones being silenced.
This isn’t an attack on the free press. It’s a long-overdue reality check.
Also in this issue: Karoline Leavitt torches Obama over Kimmel lies, ICE agents battle Antifa cosplayers outside Chicago, California bans federal agents from wearing masks, and America gathers by the tens of thousands to honor a conservative giant.
If this isn’t a Sunday worth remembering — we don’t know what is.
This is how narrative control really works.
See how NGOs, “fact-checkers,” and tech platforms flag your behavior before you even hit publish — and how these tactics feed directly into surveillance pipelines.
Press Pass Revoked (Kind Of)
The Pentagon isn’t muzzling the media. It’s muzzling the circus.
The War Department just did something unthinkable to the D.C. press cartel: told them no.
As of this week, reporters at the Pentagon will need special ID badges, designated escorts, and explicit permission to access certain areas. Cue the wailing. CBS News called it a prelude to a “press ban.” The Washington Post claimed it would “cripple transparency.” The Associated Press all but threatened a First Amendment funeral.
But here’s what actually happened: the Pentagon finally decided it’s a military base, not a media playground.
In a memo obtained by The Daily Wire, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell laid out new physical control measures for credentialed media — including bright red “PRESS” badges, mandatory security briefings, and a requirement that any journo stepping outside authorized zones get escorted or get out.
Sounds terrifying… if you’re used to playing journalist with zero adult supervision.
For years, Beltway reporters treated the Pentagon like a reality TV set. Wandering hallways. Watching who met with whom. Building entire narratives from body language outside classified meetings. That wasn’t journalism — it was D.C. fan fiction dressed up in military drag.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s policy simply aligns the Pentagon with literally every other U.S. military installation on Earth: Want access? Follow protocol. Want freedom? Respect boundaries.
And no, this isn’t some autocratic censorship scheme. Reporters still have full access to the press secretary, the defense press office, and much of the building — including briefing rooms. What they don’t have anymore is a backstage pass to hover near war councils and sniff out crumbs of speculation.
Freedom of the press doesn’t mean freedom to breach operational security.
That line used to be common sense. Now it’s “controversial” because Trump’s appointees are enforcing it.
Parnell put it plainly back in May: “Wear a media credential. Have an escort for sensitive areas. Just like every other U.S. military base on planet Earth. That’s it.”
But the legacy media isn’t upset about access. They’re upset about losing proximity to power — the unfiltered, informal kind that lets them publish “sources familiar with the matter” leaks hours before the Pentagon can form a sentence.
In short, this isn’t a war on journalism. It’s a war on entitlement.
If a reporter can’t do their job without eavesdropping on who walks down what hallway, maybe they’re not doing journalism to begin with.
Bottom Line:
This policy doesn’t strangle press freedom — it forces the press to act like professionals. If that feels like oppression, maybe the problem isn’t with the Pentagon. Maybe it’s with the press.
Karoline to Obama: “He Has No Idea What He’s Talking About”
White House fires back after Obama plays Free Speech Hero (badly).
Former President Barack Obama took a break from his podcast tour and Netflix deals to cry censorship over Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension — a move he bizarrely tried to pin on Trump’s White House.
Big mistake.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt went on Saturday in America with Kayleigh McEnany and lit the man up.
“With all due respect to former President Obama, he has no idea what he’s talking about.”
Leavitt made it clear: the Kimmel decision came straight from Disney/ABC. No orders, no pressure, no late-night phone calls from Trump to Bob Iger. In fact, when the news broke, Trump was in the U.K. — and didn’t even know it happened.
“I was with the President when this news broke… he had no idea this was happening.”
What did happen? Kimmel knowingly lied to his audience about Charlie Kirk’s assassination — a grotesque move during national mourning. ABC decided that was a line too far.
Now, Obama (and Kamala, never missing a chance to whine) are pretending this is McCarthyism 2.0. But the real censorship record? That’s theirs. From booting reporters to coordinating Big Tech bans, the Obama-Harris crew perfected the art of silencing dissent.
Funny how when their side does it, it’s “safety.” But when a corporate network enforces basic accountability, it’s “oppression.”
Bottom Line:
Karoline Leavitt said what needed to be said: Obama’s credibility on free speech is shot. And Jimmy Kimmel didn’t get canceled — he got caught.
Chaos at Chicago ICE Protest Turns Violent
Rubber bullets, slashed tires, and a congressional candidate face-down on the pavement.
Another day, another “mostly peaceful” protest that ends in tear gas and arrests.
On Friday, a mob of roughly 100 demonstrators descended on the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois — and things got ugly fast. Protesters tried to physically block a federal SUV from leaving the gate. Agents responded with pepper balls and crowd control tactics. What followed was pure street theater: scuffles, screams, arrests… and one congressional candidate on the ground.
Democrat Kat Abughazaleh — yes, a sitting candidate for U.S. Congress — was shoved back by agents after allegedly attempting to obstruct the vehicle. Video shows other protesters throwing gas canisters back at officers and even slashing federal tires. One particularly deranged activist charged the line, wielding a Captain America shield.
This isn’t “peaceful resistance.” It’s cosplay with felonies.
Even Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss showed up, accusing ICE of “intimidating” citizens. Meanwhile, DHS confirmed at least 550 illegal immigrants have been arrested over the past two weeks under Operation Midway Blitz — the Trump administration’s renewed crackdown on sanctuary cities.
The protesters? Not fans.
“I hope your children are crying!”
“Go heil your Hitler!”
That’s what ICE agents endured as they exited the scene.
Bottom Line:
The left has turned immigration enforcement into a battlefield. But DHS isn’t backing down — and the law isn’t optional just because it hurts your feelings.
Don’t just read about censorship. Watch it in real time.
Our private Telegram feed delivers raw drops all day — no filter, no delay, no spin.
Manchin Blasts AOC Over Kirk Comments
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) slammed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after she suggested Charlie Kirk’s assassination was a form of “violent karma.” Manchin called her “disgusting” and warned Democrats are “getting worse, not better.”
Manchin’s not exactly MAGA, but when AOC loses him, the left’s mask is slipping.
California Bans All Masking — Including ICE Agents
Governor Newsom signed a sweeping law Friday banning all facial coverings in public, citing “anti-surveillance equity.” The kicker? ICE agents must now operate unmasked — even during raids.
Criminals can wear hoodies. Federal agents can’t wear masks.
Trump Eyes Bagram Airbase Return
President Trump is pushing to reclaim Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, calling the 2021 withdrawal “one of the worst military decisions in American history.” Talks with regional partners are reportedly underway.
From surrender to second chance — Trump wants the runway back.
A nation mourns. The left rages. And Charlie Kirk’s movement marches on.
Today, more than 60,000 mourners are gathering inside State Farm Stadium in Arizona — the same stadium built for Super Bowls — to honor Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder assassinated 11 days ago while speaking at Utah Valley University.
The memorial is no ordinary service. It’s a full-scale national event.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance will deliver eulogies
Erika Kirk, his widow and newly named CEO of TPUSA, will speak
The lineup includes Don Jr., Tucker Carlson, RFK Jr., Pete Hegseth, and others
DHS has labeled it a SEAR Level 1 security event — the highest possible
Worship will be led by top Christian musicians including Chris Tomlin and Kari Jobe Carnes
This is more than a goodbye. It’s a reaffirmation of the movement Kirk helped build — and the America he fought for.
But outside the stadium and across the country? The hatred hasn’t paused.
At Arizona State University, a peaceful student-led prayer vigil for Kirk was violently disrupted by radical agitators who screamed things like:
“I don’t want your salvation — I want you to f**king die.”
At least one student was reportedly shoved to the ground. No arrests have been made — yet.
Meanwhile, security has been dramatically increased at memorial sites and campuses nationwide after credible threats emerged. Federal agents are coordinating with local law enforcement to monitor events in Phoenix, Wheaton, and Tampa.
Despite the chaos, Erika Kirk stood firm.
“He was the perfect husband. The perfect father. And the movement my husband built will not die.”
Kirk’s body was flown to Arizona on Air Force Two — a personal gesture from VP Vance, who credited Kirk with helping bring him into Trump’s inner circle. Even RFK Jr. acknowledged Kirk’s behind-the-scenes influence, calling him the “architect” of the conservative unification that brought Trump and Kennedy together last year.
Together with The Ledger
The media calls it a “press ban.” The Pentagon calls it security.
Red badges. Escorts. Boundaries.
Trump’s War Department isn’t muzzling journalists — it’s ending their backstage pass.
The Ledger explains why the crackdown is happening now — and how it fits Trump’s broader war on D.C. entitlement.
They called it a crackdown. It was a correction.
For years, the press treated our Pentagon like an open mic night — lurking, leaking, speculating in real time. Now the adults are back in charge. And like a spoiled kid who just got grounded, the media’s loudest screams tell you everything: they’re not angry because it’s unfair — they’re angry because it’s over.
Rest assured: America is not silencing reporters. It’s just reintroducing them to boundaries.
We’ll see you on the battlefield tomorrow.
~ Scott 🇺🇸
P.S. The Pentagon just reminded the press it’s a military base, not a playground. Reporters are screaming “censorship.” The Ledger has the decode.
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Since when does King Gavin have the authority to tell a federal law enforcement officer what they can or cannot cover when he forced California residents to wear a mask (that did nothing) or else??