US Judge Blocks Pentagon Policy Restricting Press Access, Sides with New York Times

WASHINGTON (Afghan Verified) -- A federal judge in the United States blocked a policy under the Trump administration that restricted journalists' access to the Pentagon, ruling it violated the First and Fifth Amendments.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman in Washington, D.C., issued the decision Friday in favor of The New York Times, which sued the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December. The newspaper argued the policy infringed on freedom of speech and due process.

Friedman found the policy unlawfully restricted press credentials for journalists who did not comply with new rules. He concluded it amounted to viewpoint discrimination, aimed at excluding "undesirable" journalists and favoring those aligned with the government.

The judge stressed that press freedom is essential to national security and public awareness, particularly during periods of heightened U.S. tensions from conflicts and geopolitical strains.

Friedman ordered the Pentagon to reinstate credentials for seven New York Times journalists within one week and to demonstrate compliance.

A New York Times spokesperson welcomed the ruling, stating it safeguards core principles of a free press and ensures the public remains informed about government actions and military operations.

The Pentagon had defended the policy as necessary to protect sensitive national security information and bar access by individuals deemed security risks. Lawyers for The New York Times countered that it was intended to suppress critical reporting on the administration.