Judge sides with NYT against policy limiting reporters’ Pentagon access
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from enforcing Pentagon rules that limit reporters' access, ruling the policy unlawfully restricts press credentials and violates First and Fifth Amendment rights.
- The New York Times sued the Pentagon, arguing the credentialing policy suppresses free speech and due process, with the judge agreeing the policy enables viewpoint discrimination against journalists critical of the administration.
- The ruling orders reinstatement of credentials for seven Times journalists and applies broadly to all reporters affected by the policy, with the Pentagon Press Association calling it a major victory for press freedom.
- The Pentagon plans to appeal, defending the policy as necessary for national security, while the judge emphasized the importance of diverse press access during ongoing military conflicts.
- The judge criticized inconsistent enforcement of the policy
