Covering the news at NPR, it’s hard to know exactly what’s coming next. My career has taken me inside conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, to small towns across the United States, to the U.S. Capitol grounds during the Jan. 6 protests. But still, the word I’d use for the time we’re in is “unparalleled.”
Last year, Pentagon reporters were asked to sign a “loyalty pledge." This pledge would bar us from seeking comment from Pentagon sources and would require us to report only on official releases.
Even though the consequence is that I am no longer permitted inside the Pentagon, I won’t sign it. Signing would make me a stenographer, not a reporter holding the government accountable. We may not be inside the Pentagon, we remain dogged to find out what the Pentagon is doing in our name.
We do this work for you and people like you. People who want to be informed.
And in return, we ask that this community contribute financial support so that we can continue to deliver news to the highest standards. News by the people, for the people.
Please consider making a gift today. I’m still here, reporting the news, thanks to people like you.
As we transform to thrive without federal support, your monthly support provides the certainty we need for the work ahead. We're in this for the long haul, and we need you to be, too.
