The Department of Defense (DOD) has suspended all official participation in think tank and research events until further notice, according to an internal email distributed Thursday and obtained by POLITICO.
The decision follows the department’s abrupt withdrawal from the Aspen Security Forum last week, where senior officials were expected to deliver keynotes and participate in bilateral meetings. In a statement, the Pentagon cited the forum’s promotion of “the evil of globalism, disdain for our great country, and hatred for the President of the United States” as grounds for its withdrawal.
The suspension order, effective Tuesday, applies to all Defense Department personnel, including military officers, civilian employees, and senior enlisted leaders.
The new guidance requires that all future speaking invitations be reviewed by the Pentagon’s Office of Public Affairs, General Counsel, and Policy teams. Officials must also submit talking points and prepared remarks in advance of approval.
“In order to ensure the Department of Defense is not lending its name and credibility to organizations, forums, and events that run counter to the values of this administration, the Department’s Office of Public Affairs will be conducting a thorough vetting of every event where Defense officials are invited to participate,” chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in an emailed statement.
“Going forward, no DOD official will attend events by America Last organizations that promote globalism and hate [President Trump],” Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said in a post on X.
The days of “business as usual” are OVER!
The DOD’s Office of Public Affairs will be conducting a thorough vetting of every event where Defense officials are invited to participate.
Going forward, no DOD official will attend events by America Last organizations that promote… https://t.co/WDdUmnRxs6
— Kingsley Wilson (@PressSecDOD) July 24, 2025
It remains unclear how long the suspension will remain in effect.
