As Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth make life-or-death decisions, independent journalism is critical to ensuring the public finds out what is actually happening.

But for months, the Pentagon has shut out the press — at the very moment when we need answers most. It’s looked like Defense Secretary Hegseth banning journalists from the Pentagon’s press office, and more recently, a Pentagon spokesperson threatening to blacklist a reporter, simply for asking too many questions about Trump’s disastrous Iran war.

Moves to shield the Pentagon from scrutiny and accountability would be troubling at any time. But amidst Trump’s genocidal threats against Iran at the United Nations, horrific stories of servicemembers struggling on the USS Lincoln, and as evidence mounts that the U.S. military has committed war crimes in Iran — limiting journalist access is outright dangerous.

Litigation on these bans is moving forward, but we don’t need to wait for the courts to rule to make our voices heard: The Pentagon should answer to the people. Together, we’ll remind Hegseth that we don’t just deserve the truth and transparency; we demand it.