Why Pentagon Officials Now Need Permission to Talk to Congress

The Pentagon has implemented a sweeping new communication policy that requires all senior officials, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to obtain prior approval before engaging with Congress.

The directive, signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg, mandates that all legislative interactions be routed through the Department of Defense’s Office of Legislative Affairs.

Officials say the move is meant to “ensure accuracy and consistency” in how the Pentagon communicates with lawmakers, but it also marks a major departure from previous practice, where individual military branches and agencies could speak directly with congressional committees.

The memo, confirmed by defense officials and first reported by Breaking Defense, comes amid broader efforts by the Hegseth-led Pentagon to tighten control over external communications, including new restrictions on journalists covering the department.

Critics, including Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, have warned that the policy could weaken transparency and reduce oversight of the Defense Department.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described the change as a “pragmatic step” to streamline communication and “facilitate more effective engagement” with lawmakers. The new rules apply across all branches of the U.S. military and take effect immediately.