Gabriel Cuccia, who has been assigned to report on the Pentagon for the conservative outlet One America News Network, does not hide her bias. She identifies as the “Maga girl,” proudly exhibiting her undeterred support for President Donald Trump.
However, just days after publicly criticizing Trump’s appointees, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Cuccia found herself out of a job.
Last week, she turned to Substack to share her personal views on the subject she covers, an act frowned upon by many traditional news organizations. This message may well resonate positively, albeit reflecting a narrow type of diversity.
Cuccia’s lengthy post titled “Secretary of Defense” was published three days after Hegseth issued new regulations that prohibited reporters from accessing broader Pentagon areas without approval.
She criticized him for limiting freedom of movement under the guise of national security.
Cuccia Commends Responsible Pentagon Journalists
“The Pentagon wants to create an illusion of journalists wandering freely through classified areas (sneaking into secure zones and leaking top-secret information),” she stated. “That’s simply not the case. Security cameras are everywhere, established protocols are in place, and frankly, if you find yourself in a space that reporters aren’t supposed to be in, it’s painfully obvious.”
Cuccia pointed out that the real leaks from the Pentagon originated from Hegseth’s own team and other high-ranking officials. Former Fox News personality Hegseth, felt embarrassed earlier this year when the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic inadvertently appeared in a chat where the Secretary of Defense discussed future military actions.
She called out Hegseth for still not holding media briefings at the Pentagon.
“The commander welcomes tough questions… and yes, even foolish ones,” she remarked. “Why doesn’t the Secretary of Defense do the same?”
Three days after her Memorial Day piece, Cuccia reported that her Pentagon access badge had been revoked. “By Friday,” she stated, “I was unemployed.”
The Department of Defense has not commented on Cuccia’s situation, according to a defense official who requested anonymity to discuss personnel matters. Cuccia mentioned that OAN indicated the Substack article had “come onto their radar,” but declined to elaborate on what her employer told her. She informed The Associated Press that President Orn Charles Haring had not addressed any personnel issues.
“When reporters pose uncomfortable questions about governmental overreaches, accountability should be the response, not silence, certainly not termination,” Cuccia expressed.
Traditional media usually advises journalists to refrain from sharing opinions about the subjects they cover. However, exceptions typically arise when access to information is compromised, noted Tom Rosenstiel, a journalism professor at the University of Maryland.
For instance, The New York Times called for President Joe Biden to engage with journalists more regularly during his presidency. The Pentagon Press Association stated that Hegseth’s restrictions are a direct assault on press freedom.
A Transparency Issue for Trump Loyalists
One America News Network has maintained its loyalty to Trump without reservation. Following the election, when Matt Gaetz’s bid for Trump’s attorney general was derailed, OAN quickly brought him on as a contributor. OAN has dealt with settlement agreements over lawsuits while promoting Trump’s unfounded claims that he did not lose the 2020 election.
This year, Hegseth ousted several news organizations, while Cuccia was given more space initially reserved for NBC News. Before Hegseth’s only media briefing, his aide Sean Parnell reached out to Cuccia in advance to discuss the questions she intended to ask.
If OAN was responsible for Cuccia’s dismissal, it reflects a firm adherence to their core principles, according to Rosenstiel. “If you’re on a team, there’s no room for negativity.”
Rosenstiel expressed curiosity about whether Pro-Trump media representatives would support Cuccia. “Will they remain silent, or will she receive solidarity in some form?” he inquired. In the past, Trump has frequently criticized Fox News when it aired something he regarded as unfavorable.
Part of Cuccia’s Substack post seemed prophetic about her fate, as she reflected on the spirit that fueled the early movements to make America great again. She asserted that holding the government accountable should be a point of pride.
“At some point, we as a group decided that if someone questioned the policies or individuals within the MAGA movement, they weren’t truly part of it. They were deemed part of a deep state, untrustworthy and insufficiently patriotic,” she wrote. “To be blunt, they were cast aside.”
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Associated Press Correspondent Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report. David Bauder covers the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him on Twitter and Bluesky.
Source: apnews.com