On March 20, 2026, a federal judge in the United States blocked the administration of President Donald Trump from enforcing a policy that limited news reporters’ access to the Pentagon. The ruling favored The New York Times, stating that key parts of the new rules are unlawful.
Judge Paul Friedman in Washington, DC, ruled that the Pentagon’s policy illegally restricts press credentials of reporters who left the building rather than agreeing to the new rules. The Times had sued the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, arguing that the policy violated journalists’ constitutional rights.
The current Pentagon press corps consists mostly of conservative outlets that agreed to the policy. Reporters from outlets that refused to consent to the rules, including The Associated Press, continued reporting on the military.
Friedman, nominated by Democratic President Bill Clinton, stated that the policy fails to provide fair notice of what actions could result in the denial of press credentials. He concluded that the policy violated the First and Fifth Amendment rights.
The New York Times praised the ruling, saying it upholds the constitutionally protected rights of the free press in the country. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to the ruling, but argued that the policy protects national security information.
The judge acknowledged the need to protect national security and troop safety but emphasized the importance of public access to information. He criticized the policy for potentially silencing journalists who do not align with the government’s views.
Friedman ordered the Pentagon to reinstate the press credentials of seven Times journalists and set a deadline for the Pentagon to report compliance with the order. The Times argued that the Pentagon applied its rules inconsistently, citing a right-wing personality’s violation of the policy.
