Federal judge rules Pentagon violated order on press access

A federal judge ruled that the Defense Department is violating his earlier order to restore access to the Pentagon for reporters. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman stated that the Pentagon's new credential policy infringes on journalists' constitutional rights to free speech and due process. He noted that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's team attempted to evade his March 20 ruling by implementing new rules that expel all reporters from the building unless accompanied by escorts. "The department simply cannot reinstate an unlawful policy under the guise of taking 'new' action and expect the court to look the other way," Friedman wrote.

Friedman had previously ordered Pentagon officials to reinstate the press credentials of seven Times reporters, emphasizing that his decision applies to "all regulated parties." Defense Department spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the department disagrees with the ruling and intends to appeal, asserting that they have complied with the judge's orders and issued a revised policy addressing concerns.

The Times' attorney, Theodore Boutrous, remarked that the ruling "powerfully vindicates both the Court's authority and the First Amendment's protections of independent journalism." The dispute has been ongoing since October when reporters from mainstream news outlets walked out of the building rather than agree to the new rules. The Times sued the Pentagon and Hegseth in December to challenge the policy.

The current Pentagon press corps consists mostly of conservative outlets that accepted the new policy, while journalists from outlets that refused to comply have continued reporting from outside the Pentagon. Friedman highlighted the importance of public access to information regarding government activities, stating that the First Amendment is essential for national security. He criticized the challenged policy as designed to favor "disfavored journalists" and engage in viewpoint discrimination.

What to watch: The Pentagon's upcoming appeal against the court's ruling could further define press access policies.