Politico: “A sprawling missile defense conference kicks off Tuesday in Alabama, but no one on stage can mention the Pentagon’s most ambitious missile defense project.”“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office, according to the event’s organizers, has banned officials at the event from talking about President Donald Trump’s favorite weapon system: the nascent multibillion-dollar Golden Dome missile shield.”“The clampdown follows new Pentagon rules that ban personnel from participating in think tank and research organization events — a major channel for communicating policy and gathering outside input. And it occurs alongside a broader tightening of the department’s public engagement, including reducing press conferences and limiting media access in the building to prevent a stream of embarrassing leaks.”