A federal judge on March 20 blocked the Pentagon’s press policy that sought to bar news outlets from reporting information not officially sanctioned for release by agency heads.
The policy put forth in October 2025 by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth aimed to limit reporters’ coverage of the Pentagon to official statements. Journalists seeking information outside official government channels would be deemed security risks and have their press credentials revoked, according to the policy. The White House argued the policy was in the interest of national security.
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman in his ruling acknowledged the importance of protecting American troops and war plans but said it was "more important than ever that the public have access to information from a variety of perspectives about what its government is doing" given President Donald Trump's recent into Venezuela and war with Iran.
With Washington, D.C.’s mayoral primary days away, President Donald Trump suggested that the federal government could...
