Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes

Episode: The Pentagon Tried to Blackmail a Reporter—Just for Asking Questions

Host: Tim Miller (The Bulwark)
Date: December 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tim Miller of The Bulwark unpacks a disturbing story reported by Dan Friedman of Mother Jones detailing how the Pentagon, through intermediaries, allegedly attempted to intimidate and blackmail a journalist for investigating a senior Pentagon advisor’s background. Miller focuses not just on the particulars of the case, but on the broader implications for press freedom, transparency, and the worrying erosion of genuine journalistic oversight in U.S. defense reporting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mother Jones Reporting on Pentagon Intimidation

• Miller summarizes Dan Friedman's investigative article in Mother Jones titled "I asked the Pentagon about Pete Hegseth’s mentor. Then the threat started."
• The triggering incident involved Friedman sending the Pentagon questions about Eric Garessi, a senior advisor to Pete Hegseth (high-ranking Pentagon official), particularly concerning allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women and his past associations.
• After Friedman reached out for comment, he received threatening messages from Jack Posobiek, a far-right pundit and recently added Pentagon press corps member, containing personal and unfounded allegations mirroring his own inquiries.

2. Freedom of the Press at Risk

• Miller emphasizes that a reporter’s right to investigate and to ask tough questions of public officials is a pillar of democracy:
  • [04:08] Tim Miller: “The fact that a reporter could reach out to the department ask about a high ranking official’s behavior... is the right of a reporter in this country. Like, we have freedom of the press, we have freedom of speech.”
• He argues that the Pentagon’s reaction—resorting to intimidation rather than simply responding or declining to comment—reveals a troubling hostility toward scrutiny and transparency.

3. Media Access Shrinking at the Pentagon

• Miller notes a recent trend of the Pentagon excluding independent or critical reporters, resulting in a press corps of compliant sycophants:
  • [03:45] Tim Miller: “Department of War—has kicked out all of the real reporters from the Pentagon. And it's crazy we don't talk about this every day. That North Korea, USSR style coverage of our military...only sycophants are allowed in there.”

4. Weaponizing Press Credentials & 'Agit Prop' Journalism

• Miller details Jack Posobiek’s background as an Internet agitator involved in the “Pizzagate” disinformation campaign:
  • [06:38] Tim Miller: “Jack Posobiek...one of the leading purveyors of Pizzagate...He’s now supposedly a reporter with the obligation of holding people in the Department of War to account…”
• Instead of conducting legitimate reporting, Posobiek allegedly acted as a “cutout” for Pentagon officials, mirroring Friedman’s own style of inquiry back at him as a form of intimidation:
  • [12:39] Tim Miller: “Jack was mirroring the questions, accusations that Friedman was offering to the press team…throwing them back on him…in a way that was accusatory and threatening. And frankly, it was an attempt at blackmail.”

5. Legitimacy of the Investigation

• Miller stresses that the original journalistic inquiries—about past accusations against Garessi, potential conflicts of interest, and even his 'Goodreads' reading history—are valid lines of inquiry for someone reviewing the role of women in the armed forces.
• He is clear that reporting on sexual proclivities is not, in itself, the issue—but when such matters intersect with official duties and past accusations, they are fair game for reporting.

6. Government Retaliation Over Personal Matters

• Miller condemns the government’s attempt to leverage personal information about Friedman in retaliation, rather than engaging with the reporting on its merits:
  • [12:50] Tim Miller: “The government shouldn’t be blackmailing people with that because they are upset that reporters are trying to bring some sunlight to the types of people that have very influential roles in our military. It’s crazy that that is happening.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:59] Tim Miller: “This is a Department of War. Department of War. Department of War, Department of War, War.”
  (Miller repeats this phrase for effect, underlining the perceived militarization and opacity of the Pentagon under current leadership.)

• [07:34] Tim Miller: “This guy, if you don’t know him—Pizzagate. Jack Posobiek. I’ve dealt with him a fair amount over the years, and he was one of the leading purveyors of Pizzagate.”

• [12:39] Tim Miller: “Jack was mirroring the questions, accusations that Friedman was offering to the press team… doing it in a way that was accusatory and threatening. And frankly, it was an attempt at blackmail.”

• [12:50] Tim Miller: “The government shouldn’t be blackmailing people with that because they are upset that reporters are trying to bring some sunlight to the types of people that have very influential roles in our military. It’s crazy that that is happening.”

• [13:01] Tim Miller: “Those are the people that are now supposedly representing the fourth estate at the Department of War. Really astonishing. I mean, not astonishing with this group, what you’d expect from this group, but the details of this story are crazy.”

Important Timestamps

• [02:00] – [03:45]: Miller introduces the Mother Jones story and outlines why the story is significant for press freedom.
• [06:38] – [07:34]: Explanation of Jack Posobiek’s background and his role in intimidating Friedman.
• [10:30] – [12:39]: Miller elaborates on the content of Friedman's investigation, the Pentagon's response, and the seriousness of the attempted blackmail.
• [12:50] – [13:01]: Summary reflections on the broader implications for press accountability and the integrity of Pentagon reporting.

Tone & Style

Tim Miller’s delivery is impassioned, urgent, and laced with sarcasm and dark humor, particularly when describing Pentagon sycophancy and the absurdity of the intimidation tactics. The tone remains critical and incredulous throughout, reflecting serious concern about the implications for American democracy and press freedom.

Bottom Line

This episode serves as both a summary of an explosive investigative report and a warning about the state of military-media relations: the Pentagon appears not only to be limiting access to genuine journalists, but to be leveraging friendly propagandists to suppress and intimidate reporting that threatens to shine light on internal dysfunction or problematic figures. Miller calls for listeners to support rigorous journalism and stay vigilant to these abuses of power.