Pentagon Asks Court To Reconsider Press Restrictions

The Pentagon asked a federal judge on Friday to maintain its policy requiring escorts for journalists entering the military complex, arguing the restriction is essential to prevent national security leaks while it appeals recent court losses.

The filing follows two rulings by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman, who recently struck down major parts of the Defense Department’s press restrictions as unconstitutional in a lawsuit brought by The New York Times. Seeking to keep the escort rule active during the appeals process, the Pentagon argued in its filing that “allowing members of the public unfettered access to the Pentagon poses unique and acute dangers.”

The legal battle stems from a controversial set of rules adopted in October that allowed the Pentagon to declare credentialed journalists “security risks” and revoke their press passes. Rather than sign the new policy, journalists at many traditional media outlets surrendered their credentials, and The Times sued in December, arguing the rules violated the First and Fifth Amendments.

The press restrictions are part of a broader push to limit media access under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Since taking office in early 2025, Hegseth has repeatedly targeted journalists' access to the Defense Department, including removing several news organizations from their on-site workstations and previously proposing to ban a reporter from NBC News.