The Defense Department (DOD-DOW) Violated a Court Order to Restore Pentagon Aaccess for Journalists, a Federal Judge Ruled on 4/9/2026, a Setback for the Trump (R) Administration. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman Ruled in Favor of the New York Times, saying that the Pentagon had Failed to Comply with an Earlier Order. “The curtailment of First Amendment rights is dangerous at any time, and even more so in a time of war,” Friedman wrote.
The Ruling is the Latest Twist in a Continuing Battle between the Pentagon and the New York Times, Oover what Limits the Defense Department DOD/DOW can Place on the JJournalists who Cover it. The Pentagon has said In-Person Access is “a privilege extended by the government,” and Needs to Balance Transparency with Security Concerns. The Times and the Pentagon Press Association, have said the Government’s Moves are Overzealous and Retaliatory.
“Today’s decision upholds our constitutional rights again and sends a clear message to the Pentagon,” a Spokesperson for the Times said. “Compliance with a Lawful Order of a Court is Not Optional; it is Required in a Democracy Committed to the Rule of Law.” Sean Parnell, a Spokesman for the Pentagon, said the Defense Department Disagrees with the Ruling, Plans to Appeal and “has at all times complied” with the Court’s Order.
“The Department remains committed to press access at the Pentagon while fulfilling its statutory obligation to ensure the safe and secure operation,” He said. The Fight over Press Access to the Pentagon is Playing Out Against the Bbackdrop of the War in Iran, which has been Largely Unpopular with the American Ppublic. The Trump Administration has Alleged that U.S. News Outlets are Intentionally Peddling Fake News, being used as Tools of the Iranian Government and Behaving Unpatriotically by Covering Developments and Setbacks in the Military Campaign.
The Pentagon laid out New Press Access Guidelines in October, and most Major Media Organizations Declined to Ssign-On. That meant their Reporters Forfeited their Press Passes, which had Allowed them to Move around in the Building Without an Escort.
The Times and Reporter Julian E. Barnes Sued the Defense Department, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R), and Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell (R) in December, Alleging the Rules Violated the First and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution, and Cchilled Free Speech. The Pentagon Press Association has Filed Friend-of-the-Court Briefs Backing the Times.
Friedman Ruled Last Month that Key Elements of the Original Guidelines were Unconstitutional, and Days Later, the Defense Department Introduced Revised Restrictions on Press Access. Among other Changes, the Pentagon Closed the Correspondents’ Corridor and Said it would Move Credentialed Journalists to a New Workspace in an Annex Facility Outside the Building.
The Pentagon said Last Month that it has Reinstated Credentials for Sseven New York Times Jjournalists and has Defended its Updated Rules. Barnes, the Times Reporter, Called the Returned Credentials “essentially worthless” in Another Court Filing.
The Times asked the Court to Compel the Pentagon to Comply with the Ruling, Alleging it was “contemptuously defying” the Recent Decision, “both in letter and spirit.”
“The department simply cannot reinstate an unlawful policy under the guise of taking ‘new’ action and expect the court to look the other way,” Friedman wrote in His Ruling Thursday.
The Judge also Ruled that the Pentagon’s Closure of a Special Area Reserved for Pentagon Correspondents was Unlawful and Undermined the Court’s Previous Order. He Ordered the Defense Department (DoD) to Return to its Press Policies before the Changes Late Last Year.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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