Pentagon Evicts All Reporters After Judge Strikes Down Press Rules

On March 20, 2026, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman struck down the Pentagon's press access policy as unconstitutional in New York Times Company v. Department of Defense. The judge found "undisputed evidence" the policy was designed to weed out "disfavored journalists" and replace them with those who are "on board and willing to serve" the government.

The Pentagon's policy, imposed in fall 2025 under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, had required media organizations to pledge not to gather information unless the Defense Department formally authorized its release — even for unclassified material. Reporters who "solicit or encourage" personnel to share nonpublic information could be deemed a "security risk" and lose their credentials. Major news organizations including CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, Fox News, and NPR had surrendered their credentials rather than agree.

Judge Friedman ruled the policy violated both the First Amendment (viewpoint discrimination) and Fifth Amendment (vagueness), writing: "Those who drafted the First Amendment believed that the nation's security requires a free press and an informed people."

Three days later, on March 23, rather than comply, the Pentagon retaliated:

• The Correspondents' Corridor — where reporters had worked for decades covering the military — was closed immediately
• All media office spaces were removed from the Pentagon building
• Journalists will be relocated to an "annex" outside the building with no timeline
• Reporters will only be permitted inside for pre-arranged events with mandatory escorts

The New York Times responded: "We will be going back to court." The Pentagon Press Association called it "a clear violation of the letter and spirit" of the ruling. The Pentagon announced it would appeal.