Hegseth issues new rules on how Pentagon officials can share information with Congress

Top Pentagon leaders have issued orders to significantly change how military officials exchange information with Congress, according to a news report Wednesday. 

The changes were announced in an Oct. 15 memo by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his deputy, Steve Feinberg, to Pentagon officials – including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – they must obtain permission from the department’s main legislative affairs office before having any communication with Capitol Hill, according to the Associated Press. 

The changes appear to be part of Hegseth's effort to stop the leaking of information.

The memo was also issued the same day most of Pentagon reporters exited the building rather than agree to the department’s new rules for their coverage of U.S. military headquarters. 

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," the Associated Press also reports.