Story perspectives

Defense Secretary Hegseth Slams Media Amid U.S.-Israeli War Criticism

4/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

During a Pentagon briefing on April 16, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the media.
He compared reporters to the Pharisees from the Bible.
He called them "incredibly unpatriotic" for focusing on negative coverage of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
The remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump's social media posts depicting himself in a Jesus-like manner, drawing backlash.
The Pentagon's handling of press access has also faced legal scrutiny.

History

Historical Context

The Pentagon Papers, published by The New York Times on June 13, 1971, exposed systematic government deception regarding the Vietnam War, revealing that multiple administrations misled the public and Congress. This landmark case culminated in a Supreme Court ruling affirming press freedom, echoing contemporary tensions between government officials and media, as seen in Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent criticisms during the U.S.-Israeli conflict.

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Story summary

During a Pentagon briefing on April 16, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the media.
He compared reporters to the Pharisees from the Bible.
He called them "incredibly unpatriotic" for focusing on negative coverage of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
The remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump's social media posts depicting himself in a Jesus-like manner, drawing backlash.
The Pentagon's handling of press access has also faced legal scrutiny.

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