Epoch Times National Security Reporter Resigns Over Pentagon Policy and Editorial Direction

Reporter Departs Conservative Publication Over Ethical Concerns

A national security reporter at The Epoch Times has resigned from his position, citing the publication’s decision to sign the Pentagon’s new media rules and recent editorial directives regarding the characterization of antifa, according to reports obtained by The New York Times. Andrew Thornebrooke, who covered defense-related issues for the conservative outlet, submitted his resignation on Friday, stating he could no longer reconcile his journalistic responsibilities with the publication’s direction.

Pentagon Press Policy Sparks Industry Debate

The resignation comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the Defense Department’s new 21-page media guidelines, which restrict news gathering within The Pentagon without escorts and include provisions that could revoke credentials for soliciting unauthorized information leaks. The Epoch Times was one of only three U.S.-based outlets to sign the pledge, alongside One America News Network and The Federalist, while more than two dozen other major news organizations refused, citing First Amendment concerns.

In his resignation email, Thornebrooke characterized the publication’s decision to sign the Pentagon pledge as an abdication of journalistic responsibility “in favor of merely repeating state narratives,” according to the report. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described the rules as “common sense,” but media organizations have challenged them as unconstitutional restrictions on press freedom.

Editorial Directives on Antifa Coverage

Sources indicate Thornebrooke also raised concerns about a recent editorial directive requiring reporters to refer to antifa as a terrorist organization. The internal style guide update, distributed via text message on September 30, described antifa as “a far-left extremist group that originated under the Soviet Union and functioned as the violent wing of Germany’s Communist Party.”

Analysts suggest this characterization conflicts with established understanding of far-left movements, as antifa lacks formal organizational structure and has no documented links to historical communist parties. After reporters raised concerns about the legal accuracy of the terrorist designation, editors reportedly updated the style guide to state that antifa had been “designated as a domestic terrorism organization by the Trump administration,” despite no existing U.S. law providing for domestic terrorism designations.

Growing Concerns About Editorial Direction

In an interview, Thornebrooke described himself as politically heterodox and stated he had been assured during his hiring in 2021 that The Epoch Times was moving toward “more neutral, credible coverage.” He initially covered China, a primary focus for the publication, which has known ties to the Falun Gong movement and maintains strong anti-Communist Party positions, according to its public profile.

Thornebrooke claimed the push for neutrality ceased after the Justice Department indicted the publication’s chief financial officer for money laundering last year. He reported that editors began removing accurate information from his stories and inserting false information to cast the Trump administration in a positive light. Reporters were also excluded from major decisions, including the Pentagon pledge, which staff only learned about when the editor-in-chief’s statement was published.

Publication Leadership Defends Position

The Epoch Times editor-in-chief Jasper Fakkert defended the publication’s position in a statement published Friday, writing that “The Epoch Times does not view the new guidelines for Pentagon press access as an impediment to our reporting.” The publication, which has faced previous controversies regarding its editorial approach and organizational structure, maintains several other national security reporters, including one with an active Pentagon press pass.

During an internal video call discussing the Pentagon rules and antifa designation, an editor reportedly described reporting from within the Pentagon as a “huge privilege” and expressed surprise that military installations would invite reporters inside at all, according to a recording reviewed by The Times.

Broader Media Industry Context

The incident occurs amid ongoing discussions about terrorism designations and press freedom protections worldwide. As media organizations navigate changing information environments, developments in industry developments and market trends continue to shape reporting practices. The situation also highlights how recent technology and related innovations are creating new challenges for journalistic integrity, similar to concerns about algorithmic manipulation in digital platforms.

The Epoch Times has not responded to requests for comment on the resignation, maintaining its position as outlined in the editorial statement regarding Pentagon press policy. The departure highlights ongoing tensions within media organizations balancing editorial independence with organizational policies and political alignments.

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