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.
136 Articles
136 Articles
The U.S. Department of Defense has replaced large parts of its press corps with government-friendly media - to the delight of Donald Trump. A newspaper complained against the tightened rules. With success.
The U.S. Department of Defense has replaced large parts of its press corps with government-friendly media - to the delight of Donald Trump. A newspaper complained against the tightened rules. With success.
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.
With new guidelines, the Pentagon wanted to limit reporting to officially released information. A federal judge has now decided that this is not constitutional.
Judge blocks Pentagon press restrictions, cites First Amendment | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
NEW YORK >> A federal judge today blocked the Trump administration’s restrictive Pentagon press access policy, which threatens journalists with being branded security risks if they seek information not authorized for public release.
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".
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