The National Pulse officially joined the Pentagon’s press corps on Wednesday, following an initiative by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to broaden access to the department beyond Washington, D.C.’s corporate media establishment. The move came after a major restructuring aimed at curbing leaks of classified information and limiting unauthorized access to sensitive national security areas.
The National Pulse’s Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam and political editor Will Upton were among 60 journalists accredited under the new policy, which includes 26 former Pentagon press corps members from 18 outlets. Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs Sean Parnell highlighted the expansion, stating it aimed to “prevent the leakage of classified information while expanding access to a broad spectrum of new media outlets and independent journalists.”
Parnell noted that the policy shift followed heightened concerns over national security disclosures, including a recent Defense Intelligence Agency assessment of U.S. strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities leaked via CNN’s Natasha Bertand. The Pentagon emphasized stricter controls on media presence in sensitive areas and approval requirements for interactions with officials.
The National Pulse’s inclusion marks a significant shift in the department’s approach to press engagement, with Kassam expressing gratitude for the expanded access. The outlet’s political editor, Will Upton, will serve as the lead Pentagon correspondent under the new framework.
