Most Defense Department social-media accounts will stop posting from Jan. 25 to Feb. 3, according to a Friday memo issued by the chief of staff to the defense secretary. The memo was released by a defense official one day after the news of the upcoming pause was reported.
“In order to refocus communications for the DoD around the Commander-in-Chief’s priority of reorienting the Department around its core missions of Keeping America Safe, fielding the most lethal force on the planet, and fighting and winning wars, all DoD Components will adhere to the following temporary social media guidance. Social media posts from official accounts at all levels of the Department are temporarily suspended for 10 days effective January 25, 2025, in order for DoD Components to prepare for this reorientation of content on their platforms,” said the memo. It was signed by Joe Kasper, who was sworn in as chief of staff on Tuesday.
There are some exceptions, which notably include posts about military operations along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“This suspension does not apply to social media communication concerning DoD’s current operations defending our southern border — in fact, this is a top priority for the Department,” the memo said.
Other exceptions include accounts used by base commanders to communicate about base operations, recreational activities, school information, and recruiting, the memo said.
New guidance will be issued in February by the public-affairs assistant to the defense secretary, the memo said.
