I didn’t want the events of today to pass by without sharing what I know to be true. While we all went about our day, grabbing a coffee, heading off to work, trying to figure out should I take an umbrella or not, men and women at the Pentagon were packing up their offices and turning in their press badges. For the first time in my lifetime, the US Secretary of War has declared war on the Fifth Estate.

Hegseth, the most unqualified man to ever serve as Secretary of Defense which he calls War, issued a dictum insisting that every reporter at the Pentagon basically only report what he has approved in advance. In other words, reporters would serve as a PR arm of the Pentagon, not as investigative journalists. Most every credible news agency in the nation balked at the order from the Secretary Rapist & Drunkard.

Every major television network, wire, publication and radio outlet walked out after refusing to sign on to Hegseth’s PR policy, including ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, CNN, The Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Atlantic, Financial Times, Politico, and NPR, among others. The Hill and NewsNation also have declined to sign. 

A tragic day for America, many are saying. I disagree. What would have been tragic is if these news organizations capitulated. What they did was take a stand against Hegseth, against Trump.

Years of reporting taught me that people like Hegseth and Trump need media. They can’t breath without it. They get off on seeing the headlines shout their names. Hegseth, ever the smart ass, sent a goodbye wave via Social Media to all the news organizations that walked out. But the one thing narcissists like Hegseth and Trump can’t stand is being ignored. Trust me, he’ll have his own people leak stories to the press in order to keep his name in the headlines. The very thought of not being center stage in the media spotlight makes Hegseth’s wanker shrink.

This action will likely lead to more leaks from insiders and more reliable stories than anything those reporters uncovered while embedded at the Pentagon. I’ve seen this happen time and time again while covering law enforcement. The best gossip always flowed from the break room. I’ve had state secrets dropped off at my home mailbox. I’ve been pulled aside at retirement parties and cancer fundraisers. I’ve even been pulled over while driving the Interstate so that some wrongdoing could be set right. In other words, there are people of integrity in every organization. A lot of people with integrity. And they will find a way to feed information to the journalists whose organizations have just proven they will not be bullied or extorted into doing PR work for Hegseth.

Their leaving the Pentagon is the best thing that’s happened for Freedom of the Press in a very long time. They may have turned in their press badges but they are more motivated than ever to do right by getting the story right. And you know what they say.. never pick a fight with a man or woman who buys ink by the barrel.

Meanwhile, Hegseth can be found with shovel in hand, digging his own grave.

Karen Spears Zacharias is a Gold Star Daughter. Check out her book, After the Flag has been folded (WmMorrow).