Judge Orders Pentagon To Reinstate Reporters' Access
Judge Paul Friedman found the Defense Department violated his March 20 order, ordered restoration of press access and demanded a sworn compliance declaration by April 16.
Overview
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ruled that the Defense Department violated his March 20 order and must restore press access for credentialed journalists.
The dispute stems from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's 2025 press policy requiring reporters to sign restrictive agreements, which prompted more than 50 reporters to decline the pledge and lose Pentagon credentials.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department disagrees with the ruling and intends to appeal, while attorney Theodore Boutrous Jr. said the decision vindicates independent journalism.
Friedman ordered the return of PFAC credentials for seven reporters and found the closure of the Correspondents' Corridor and escort-only travel were transparent attempts to negate his March 20 order.
The judge ordered a Pentagon official to submit a sworn declaration by April 16 describing steps taken to ensure compliance, and the Department said it issued a materially revised policy.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a victory for press freedom by foregrounding the judge's scathing language and the Times attorney's praise while relegating the Pentagon's rebuttal to a later, shorter mention. Editorial choices—lead emphasis, paraphrasing of “onerous restrictions,” and selective quote placement—underscore government overreach.