Conservative Journalists Attack Post Report on Pentagon Veteran Installations

Conservative journalists went on the offensive Sunday, taking aim at The Washington Post after a report claimed three former military veterans were secretly installed by the Pentagon to push pro-Trump narratives. The piece, authored by Dan Lamothe and Tara Copp, argued that Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter, and Thomas Anderson had been hired as civilian employees under the Department of War. It further stated each man had backed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth while attacking critics of the administration's military strategy.

"The Pentagon has secretly installed several conservative military veterans with large online followings in government roles," the report read. "They are declining to disclose their assignments as they amplify Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's viewpoints and attack those who scrutinize the Trump administration, according to people familiar with the matter and corroborating material." The article added that at least some of these influencers held civilian positions capable of driving policy changes.

Maness, Schlichter, and Anderson pushed back hard after publication, accusing the newspaper of framing them as federal plants using illegally obtained data. They clarified they were invited by the Department of War to serve as advisors on a task force studying senior service colleges through their military experience and past commentary. Each noted they received compensation only for that specific role, which has since concluded.

"My service with the Department of War as a 'Special Government Employee' was exclusively limited to participation in such task force and ended on July 26, 2026," Anderson wrote Sunday under his X account "Cynical Publius." He posted that he had never accepted any compensation for writing posts on X or articles in magazines. "Those who claim otherwise defame me," he stated proudly. "I support the efforts of President Trump and the Department of War because it's the right thing to do."

Maness took to X Monday to call out the story, saying the article attempted to establish a fabricated context with its subtitle that was completely false. He argued the report published illegally obtained personally identifiable information from government sources about him. "I patriotically and unashamedly support the efforts of President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and the Department of War to ensure we are producing senior officers who can win our nation's wars because it's the most impactful thing to do for America's future," he wrote.

Kurt Schlichter also responded Monday by publishing his own critique in a column on Townhall.com targeting The Washington Post. He slammed the leftists who seized on the innuendo, noting they did not care about the truth. "It's irrelevant whether the regime media reporters wrote garbage on purpose or because they are grossly incompetent," Schlichter said. He added that he would not argue with people acting in bad faith unless they ended up in court.

Senior officers deserve the best possible education: effective, unbiased and laser-focused on our core warfighting mission," Anthony Tata said in a message posted Sunday on X. He noted that Secretary of War Rob Maness directed a Senior Service College Task Force to conduct a comprehensive review of the department's institutions. The mandate was clear: ensure these schools are anchored in military history, strategy, high standards, meritocracy and overall excellence. That review is now complete. Tata offered special thanks to Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter and Tom Anderson for answering the call to serve on this Task Force. Led by Dr. Maurice L. Todd, an ASW graduate with a PhD, MA and MS who ranks in the top 5 percent at West Point, the group delivered critical recommendations to strengthen the schools and prepare military leaders to achieve peace through strength.

But I will use this situation as a cautionary example of why the regime media is trash and why your contempt for it is so well-deserved," Schlichter wrote, adding that the original piece misspelled his name. A comment posted on Fox News Digital by Post journalist Dan Lamothe stated the article was accurate as written in that neither the journalists nor the Pentagon disclosed they were special government employees while commenting on Pentagon matters. The Washington Post did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment. When reached for a comment, the Pentagon pointed to the statement written by Under Secretary of War Anthony Tata on X Sunday.