US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has issued a directive requiring military personnel to obtain prior approval before discussing sensitive military operations — including recent US strikes on suspected drug boats in Latin America — with members of Congress, according to officials familiar with the guidance.

The new rules, circulated through the Office of the Secretary of Defense, extend to all personnel across the Department of Defense and cover “sensitive military operations,” maritime activities in the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility, missile defense programs, acquisition reform, and other classified initiatives.

This updated directive follows confusion over an earlier memo barring Defense Department officials from communicating with lawmakers without approval from the agency’s legislative affairs office. The move has sparked criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, who argue it limits transparency and oversight.

Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican and former Air Force commander, condemned the order, calling it “another amateur move” that has made service members “afraid to communicate with Congress.” Bacon said open communication had long been encouraged to keep lawmakers informed of military achievements and challenges.

The latest policy comes amid growing frustration in Congress over the Pentagon’s lack of transparency regarding US operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Lawmakers from both parties, including Senate Armed Services Committee leaders Sen. Roger Wicker and Sen. Jack Reed, have sent multiple letters to Hegseth seeking clarification on the legal basis for recent maritime strikes — many of which have gone unanswered.

Hegseth’s office has also tightened information control measures within the Pentagon, including restrictions on defense personnel engaging with think tanks, media outlets, and public events. The new policy reflects a broader effort to centralize messaging as scrutiny intensifies over US military activities abroad.