These Photos Of Pete Hegseth Probably Defy New Pentagon Policy Against Unflattering Pics

The Pentagon is apparently going to war against press photographers who take “unflattering” photos of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

According to The Washington Post, the Defense Department blocked some press photographers from attending briefings about the ongoing war with Iran because Hegseth’s staffers found them “unflattering.”

The ban was instituted after a briefing on March 2 that marked Hegseth’s first appearance in the briefing room since June 2025. Photographers from several outlets, including Reuters, Getty and The Associated Press, attended the briefing with Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Dan Caine.

After photos from the briefing were published, some of Hegseth’s staff members were reportedly miffed at how Hegseth looked in the pics. It is unclear whether Hegseth’s aides were bugged by a single photo or several, but some photographers were shut out of subsequent briefings on March 4 and 10. Only Defense Department staff photographers have been permitted into briefings since then.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said in a statement to the Post that the DoD was attempting to “use space in the Pentagon Briefing Room effectively” by allowing “one representative per news outlet if uncredentialed, excluding pool.”

“Photographs from the briefings are immediately released online for the public and press to use,” Wilson added. “If that hurts the business model for certain news outlets, then they should consider applying for a Pentagon press credential.”

The Defense Department’s relationship with the media has become notably more contentious under Hegseth, according to The Associated Press. Many mainstream news organizations have left their desks at the Pentagon because they refused to accept new rules enacted by the Trump administration that restrict journalists’ movements and the people they can talk to.

HuffPost reached out to the Defense Department, asking for clarity on the photo policy and the criteria used to determine whether a photo makes Hegseth look bad. No one immediately responded.

Art is subjective, but here are some Hegseth pics that might qualify for the “unflattering” designation:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth answers a question while traveling on Air Force One on March 7, 2026.

Roberto Schmidt via Getty Images

Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2025.

Andrew Harnik/Pool via AP

And this...

Hegseth testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill on June 10, 2025.

Jose Luis Magana via AP

And, of course...

Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025, during the Trump administration's first attack on Iran.

Alex Brandon via AP

Can’t forget...

Hegseth and President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Dec. 2, 2025.

Julia Demaree Nikhinson via AP