WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Pentagon held its first press briefing on Tuesday since more than a dozen news outlets, including Fox News and CNN, forfeited their press passes after refusing to sign the Department of Defense’s new press agreement which placed greater restrictions on how outlets can gather and report information.
In lieu of reporters from traditional news outlets, the Pentagon invited right-leaning political commentators and independent journalists to attend the rare press briefing with notable attendees including Laura Loomer, former Congressman Matt Gaetz now with One America News, and James O’Keefe, best known for his undercover reporting.
The newly credentialed reporters began posting photos of their press passes and newly claimed desks which once belonged to other media outlets to social media on Monday. Tuesday’s press briefing held by the Department of Defense’s press secretary Kingsley Wilson was a part of a special orientation for the newly credentialed press reporters.
Barbara Starr, a retired Pentagon correspondent for CNN, who viewed the briefing online, told the AP that she was impressed by the questions posed by the reporters.
“I actually thought several of the questions the audience asked were very good, pointed, on-the-news questions,” Starr said.
“I don’t think they got good answers.”
While the majority of the reporters in attendance are deemed friendly to the Trump administration, they did not shy away from pressing Wilson on the Trump administration’s dealings with Venezuela and other national security concerns. For instance, Gaetz asked Wilson what role the Trump administration would take on if Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro fled the country amid Trump’s pressure campaign.
“The department has a contingency plan for everything,” Wilson said in response. “Our focus is taking out narco-terrorists every single boat we strike is saving American lives.”
Meanwhile, Loomer questioned Wilson about the United States’ decision to sell fighter jets to Qatar. In response, Wilson praised the United States’ relationship with Qatar, prompting Loomer to point out the Arab nation is the “largest sponsor of the Muslim Brotherhood,” which the White House has deemed certain chapters to be a terrorist organization in November.