In a surprising turn, former President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind new Pentagon press restrictions introduced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — a move that has sparked strong opposition from nearly every major U.S. media outlet, including Fox News and Newsmax.

The controversial policy requires journalists covering the Pentagon to sign a pledge that limits what they can report. Reporters could lose their press credentials if they seek or publish information from military personnel that hasn’t been officially cleared by the Department of Defense. Critics say the rules could severely restrict press freedom and transparency on national security issues.

Fox News, ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC jointly released a statement rejecting the Pentagon’s new policy, calling it “without precedent” and warning that it threatens core journalistic protections. “We will continue to report on the U.S. military as we always have,” the statement said.

When asked about the backlash, Trump defended Hegseth, saying the press has been “very dishonest” and “disruptive to world peace.” Hegseth, a former Fox News host himself, criticized Pentagon reporters for focusing on the new policy instead of Trump’s recent Middle East peace efforts. “You can’t just roam anywhere you want,” Hegseth said, insisting the policy is about “respecting national security.”

Interestingly, Trump’s remarks mark a shift from his earlier position. Just last month, he expressed skepticism about letting the Pentagon decide what reporters could cover, saying, “Nothing stops reporters.”

Now, with Trump’s public backing, it appears the White House and Pentagon are standing firm — even as the nation’s biggest news networks refuse to sign the agreement and prepare to clear out of Pentagon facilities.