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US judge blocks restrictive Pentagon press access policy
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ruled the Pentagon's policy violates constitutional free speech and due process rights, ordering reinstatement of press credentials for seven New York Times journalists.
- A federal judge on Friday blocked enforcement of the Pentagon credentialing policy, the ruling reported on March 20, 2026 from Washington, D.C.
- The New York Times sued in December, alleging the changes approved in October 2025 under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violate journalists' free-speech and due-process rights.
- Of the 56 Pentagon Press Association outlets, only one signed the acknowledgment, and reporters who refused to consent, including The Associated Press, continued reporting amid related litigation.
- The administration defended the rules as reasonable and necessary to protect the military, while Justice Department lawyers acknowledged some subjectivity but said decisions rely on neutral criteria.
- Journalism advocates decried the rule as an attack on the free press, and The New York Times said the policy permits unconstitutional viewpoint-based exclusions using the new press corps as evidence.
228 Articles
228 Articles
Federal judge reverses Pentagon press restrictions
The Trump administration violated the Constitution when it sought to restrict press access to the Pentagon and limit what reporters could cover, a federal judge ruled Friday. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman granted a request from The New York Times to void the Pentagon’s press credential policy on grounds it violated the First and Fifth Amendment, rejecting the government’s argument that the restrictions were needed to prevent the disclosure o…
US judge strikes down Pentagon press limits as unconstitutional
A US judge on Friday ruled that the Pentagon’s controversial media access policy violated constitutional protections, restoring journalists’ credentials after major outlets refused to comply. The decision marks a significant victory for press freedom, underscoring the public’s right to diverse reporting during wartime.
On Friday, US federal judge Paul Friedman overturned restrictions on access for journalists and media that were imposed last year by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, ruling that they were completely contrary to the US Constitution.
The U.S. Department of Defense had introduced new rules for journalists last year. Independent reporting was restricted, which the New York Times did not want to offer.
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