US EditionUS 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.
116 Articles
116 Articles
No confidential information requested, reports released in advance: With these conditions, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth wanted to keep the Pentagon correspondents in check. The large media houses refused – and moved out. Now a federal judge has given them the right.
Federal judge sides with media in Pentagon press access fight
A federal judge blocks the Trump administration's policy to restrict Pentagon press access, saying it is "more important than ever that the public have access to information … about what its government is doing".
Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to Pentagon access policy
A federal judge agreed Friday to block the Trump administration from enforcing a policy limiting news reporters’ access to the Pentagon, agreeing with The New York Times that key portions of the new rules are unlawful.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is a suspicious guy. The former television star of conservative channel Fox News is not much of a friend of the media. He threatens them and warns them not to focus the news on favoring the Donald Trump administration. Continue reading
Clinton Judge Blocks Pentagon Press Policy as Unconstitutional
On Friday, US District Judge Paul Friedman, a Clinton appointee, blocked the Pentagon from enforcing its new policy and said it violated the First Amendment. “The Court recognizes that national security must be protected, the security of our troops must be protected, and war plans must be protected. But especially in light of the country’s […] The post Clinton Judge Blocks Pentagon Press Policy as Unconstitutional appeared first on www.independe…
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