A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) violated a court order requiring it to restore access to the Pentagon for reporters after the agency’s stringent restrictions on journalists.
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman rebuked the department for attempting to circumvent his March 20, 2026, decision by establishing a new press policy. The Pentagon’s new press policy expelled all journalists from the building unless guided by government escorts. The rules also “removed media outlets’ office spaces from the building,” according to CBS News.
The ruling marks the second time in a month that Judge Friedman has sided with The New York Times.
According to The Associated Press (The AP), Judge Friedman previously ruled against the Pentagon’s credential policy, citing it as a violation of “journalists’ constitutional rights to free speech and due process.”
“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, assuring that although the Pentagon “has invoked slightly different language,” it still violated constitutional rights.
“Suppression of political speech is the mark of an autocracy, not a democracy — as the Framers recognized when they drafted the First Amendment,” Friedman issued.
In the March ruling, Friedman halted the Pentagon’s provision, stating that journalists who “solicit” classified or sensitive information from military personnel could be considered a security risk and be prohibited from accessing the building. A section of the restrictions that referred to Pentagon access as a “privilege” rather than a “right” was also barred.
DoD spokesperson Sean Parnell expressed his disagreement with Judge Friedman’s decision, affirming the agency’s intent to appeal.
“The Department remains committed to press access at the Pentagon while fulfilling its statutory obligation to ensure the safe and secure operation of the Pentagon Reservation,” Parnell wrote.
