"The Department of War fully supports President Trump’s decision to kick CNN, MSN̶B̶C̶NOW and Politico to the curb so they can publish their Fake News from outside the White House," Hegseth said in a statement on Friday.
"We are grateful these outlets already chose to self-deport from the Pentagon," the defense secretary added. "They endangered our troops with false stories, leaks, and trafficked in fiction and lies about the President, our Warriors and their mission."
Trump said the ban is set to be in effect immediately, happening “as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!”
“It’s really just cumulative stories over the last two years. You get sick of it,” the president told reporters at the White House, adding that more news outlets could be banned in the future.
Hegseth's endorsement of Trump's decision comes as the defense secretary has imposed his own media restrictions since taking the helm at the Pentagon.
His policies have barred journalists from large portions of the department from walking freely without an escort and have prevented reporters from retaining their Pentagon credentials unless they agree to publish only unclassified information approved by current U.S. defense officials.
Hegseth and his allies have argued those measures are necessary to safeguard critical national security information and prevent unauthorized leaks.
Those opposed to the policies, including news outlets and press freedom advocates, have argued that the Pentagon is stymying independent reporting.
Trump's Friday ban was panned by both CNN and Politico, stating they will defend their First Amendment rights.
The ban was also criticized by some Fox News contributors, arguing it sets a bad precedent and could backfire in the long-term.
