RedState reported in the last quarter of 2025 on new Pentagon press restrictions.
In recent weeks, the Department of Defense announced new restrictions for the press operating inside the Pentagon. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth did so in a bid to bring an end to unauthorized leaks inside the facility. He wants to limit the amount of free rein journalists have had throughout the building, instituting stricter guidelines for credentials and designating specific no-go zones that would require escorts for access.
The media was not happy with that, and The New York Times sued to challenge the policy.
READ MORE: The Press Postures Over Pentagon Media Crackdown
SecDef Hegseth Orders Pentagon to Put Press Corps on a Short Leash After Epidemic of Leaks
Then on Friday, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman issued a decision against the policy changes.
A federal judge on Friday ruled that the Pentagon’s restrictions on news outlets violate the First Amendment and issued an order tossing parts of the department’s policy, handing a victory to The New York Times, which filed suit in December over the restrictions.
Judge Paul Friedman, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, also ordered the Pentagon to restore the press passes of seven journalists for The Times. They had surrendered those passes in October instead of signing the policy, which empowered the Pentagon to declare journalists “security risks” and revoke their press passes if they engage in any conduct that the Pentagon believes threatens national security.
“Especially in light of the country’s recent incursion into Venezuela and its ongoing war with Iran," Friedman wrote, "it is more important than ever that the public have access to information from a variety of perspectives about what its government is doing."
The government had argued that the policy was reasonable and necessary for national security.
We disagree with the decision and are pursuing an immediate appeal. https://t.co/62G60P9CPx
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) March 20, 2026
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on social media (see above) that the government disagrees with the decision, and will seek an immediate appeal.
This is a developing story, and RedState will provide updates as warranted.
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use the promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership!
Join the conversation as a VIP Member