Judge Questions Pentagon's Latest Press Restrictions: 'How Weird Is That?'

HuffPost • March 31, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

A federal judge, Paul Friedman, criticized the Pentagon's new press restrictions, questioning their consistency with First Amendment rights during a recent hearing.
Despite an earlier court order blocking these restrictions, the Pentagon limited reporter access by closing the Correspondents’ Corridor and requiring escorts in alternative areas, actions described as undermining press freedom.
The New York Times filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon, arguing that the policy restricts journalists' ability to gather information and violates the First Amendment, especially amid ongoing conflicts like the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
Judge Friedman ruled against the Pentagon’s policy on March 20, emphasizing the importance of transparency in government during times of peace and war, and ordered the reinstatement of press passes for New York Times reporters.
The Pentagon defended the policy as effective in preventing leaks of classified information, citing improved operational security in missions related to Venezuela and Iran.

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