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CENTCOM Official Confirms Secret Journalists Blacklist, Court Fight

8/24/2026

41 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A U.S. Central Command public affairs official said the command maintains a secret blacklist of journalists.
Executive assistant Richard Allee confirmed the list and warned a reporter could be added.
CENTCOM’s press office emailed that it does not have a blacklist, contradicting the official’s claim.
A federal judge struck the pledge policy as unconstitutional in March 2026, yet an appeals court later permitted enforcement.

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Story summary

A U.S. Central Command public affairs official said the command maintains a secret blacklist of journalists.
Executive assistant Richard Allee confirmed the list and warned a reporter could be added.
CENTCOM’s press office emailed that it does not have a blacklist, contradicting the official’s claim.
A federal judge struck the pledge policy as unconstitutional in March 2026, yet an appeals court later permitted enforcement.