{"id":53394,"date":"2025-09-20T23:08:24","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T03:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/major-policy-shifts-unfold-pentagon-curbs-media-trump-touts-china-progress-and-praises-youth-healthcare-ban\/53394\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T23:08:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T03:08:24","slug":"major-policy-shifts-unfold-pentagon-curbs-media-trump-touts-china-progress-and-praises-youth-healthcare-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/major-policy-shifts-unfold-pentagon-curbs-media-trump-touts-china-progress-and-praises-youth-healthcare-ban\/53394\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Policy Shifts Unfold: Pentagon Curbs Media, Trump Touts China Progress and Praises Youth Healthcare Ban"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>Pentagon has enacted sweeping new restrictions<\/strong> on journalists, mandating government authorization for reporting even unclassified information and threatening credential revocation for non-compliance, sparking widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates.<\/li>\n<li><strong>President Trump announced significant &quot;progress&quot; in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping<\/strong>, highlighting advancements on critical issues including trade, fentanyl, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the TikTok deal, with future high-level meetings scheduled.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Trump lauded an executive order banning &quot;chemical and surgical mutilation of children,&quot;<\/strong> which restricts gender-affirming care for minors under 19 through federal healthcare programs and research grants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Pentagon Imposes Stringent New Media Restrictions<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>Pentagon<\/strong> has announced a controversial new policy that requires journalists to obtain explicit government authorization before reporting any information, even if it is unclassified. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled the restrictions, which mandate reporters to sign a pledge and risk losing their credentials if they fail to comply.<\/p>\n<p>This move represents a significant departure from decades of established press operations, where journalists traditionally had more latitude to seek information. Critics, including the National Press Club President Mike Balsamo and a spokesperson for <em>The New York Times<\/em>, have vehemently denounced the policy as an &quot;assault on independent journalism&quot; and a concerning pattern of reducing access to military operations. The administration argues the measure is necessary to protect &quot;sensitive information&quot; and prevent &quot;unprofessional conduct.&quot;<\/p>\n<h2>U.S.-China Relations See &quot;Progress&quot; Following Trump-Xi Call<\/h2>\n<p>President Trump reported a &quot;very productive call&quot; with Chinese President Xi Jinping, indicating progress on several key bilateral and global issues. The discussions reportedly covered <strong>trade, efforts to combat fentanyl, strategies to end the Russia-Ukraine War, and the approval of the TikTok deal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Following the call, President Trump announced plans to meet with President Xi at the upcoming APEC Summit in South Korea, with reciprocal visits to China and the United States slated for early next year. The positive update on U.S.-China relations contributed to an upbeat market sentiment, with the <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/sp500\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"snp500 today\">S&amp;P 500<\/a> (<a href=\"\/stock\/SPX\">SPX<\/a>) seeing gains. <em>Investors are closely watching these developments for their potential impact on global trade stability and economic growth.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Trump Praises Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors<\/h2>\n<p>President Trump has publicly praised an executive order titled &quot;Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,&quot; which he signed on <strong>January 28, 2025<\/strong>. The order aims to restrict access to gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers, sex hormones, and surgical procedures, for individuals under the age of 19 through federally funded healthcare programs such as Medicaid and Tricare.<\/p>\n<p>The executive action also seeks to prevent federal research or education grants from going to institutions that facilitate these procedures for minors. Trump stated that the trend of &quot;maiming and sterilising a growing number of impressionable children&quot; is a &quot;dangerous trend&quot; that &quot;will be a stain on our nation&#39;s history.&quot; The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) and other groups have voiced strong support for the order, and several hospitals nationwide have reportedly ceased or suspended gender-affirming care services for minors in its wake.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways The Pentagon has enacted sweeping new restrictions on journalists, mandating government authorization for reporting even unclassified information and 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