Federal Judge Strikes Down Pentagon Press Credential Rule, Administration to Appeal

A federal judge has invalidated the Pentagon’s press credentialing policy on constitutional grounds, escalating an ongoing dispute over national security, transparency, and media access inside the Department of War.

A U.S. district judge on Friday ruled that the Pentagon’s press credentialing policies violated constitutional protections, siding with The New York Times in a lawsuit challenging restrictions implemented under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The decision invalidates measures tied to the credentialing policy, including conditions placed on reporters’ access and their ability to retain credentials, with the court stating the policy worked to “weed out disfavored journalists.”

Judge Paul Friedman determined the policies ran afoul of both the First and Fifth Amendments, rejecting the administration’s argument that tighter controls were necessary to prevent disclosure of classified material. While acknowledging national security concerns, Friedman wrote that “national security must be protected” but emphasized that, “especially in light of the country’s recent incursion