MSNBC's Jen Psaki criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Wednesday for banning press photographers from Pentagon briefing rooms over photos his staff deemed unflattering, according to a Washington Post report.
Psaki highlighted the irony of Hegseth's press fixation during the 12th day of the Iran war, when he should focus on military operations. She noted Hegseth has previously accidentally posted classified war plans in a chat with no accountability and overseen national security officials checking Twitter during active military operations.
Psaki characterized the behavior as self-involved and inappropriate for a Cabinet secretary managing a major conflict. She emphasized that the war entered its third week with no end in sight, while the Trump administration faced mounting criticism over its handling of the conflict.
Psaki suggested Hegseth should prioritize substantive defense matters over controlling his media image.
