Reporters assigned to the Defense Department say that they are losing access to the news under the present administration. Under Secretary James Mattis, fewer journalists are allowed on official trips. Especially troubling, several journalists were cut from a trip to the Middle East in mid-August after they had obtained visas and made other arrangements. There are also complaints of fewer briefings and a general freezing of interactions between the press and Pentagon officials throughout the building. (Politico, September 19, 2017, by Jason Schwartz)
Mattis is increasingly concerned that the media is trying to pit him against the president and misinterpret what he says. (The Week, September 19,2017, by Bonnie Kristian)