Federal Judge Rules Pentagon's Revised Press Policy Violates Court Order

Key Points

• Judge ruled Pentagon's revised press policy violates court order.
• Policy restricts reporters' access to Pentagon headquarters.
• The New York Times brought the case against the Pentagon.

Full Details

On April 9, 2026, a federal judge reaffirmed that the Department of Defense's revised Pentagon press credential policy violates a prior court order, ordering the Pentagon to restore full access for reporters. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman criticized the Pentagon for attempting an end-run around his earlier decision, stating that the new policy still restricts reporters' constitutional rights. The case was brought by The New York Times, which argued the Pentagon's policy was an attempt to circumvent the court's ruling. The judge ordered the Pentagon to take steps to restore physical access to the building for several Pentagon reporters. This ruling underscores ongoing tensions between the government and the press over access and transparency.