The Defense Department under Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new policy affecting reporters’ access to the Pentagon in response to a federal judge last week ruling against previously announced restrictions. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
The Department of Defense has announced new restrictions on reporters, including removing their office space from the Pentagon, after a judge last week struck down a Trump administration policy that threatened journalists’ credentials for obtaining unauthorized information.
Under the new policy announced Monday, reporters will be required to work from new office space outside the Pentagon but in an annex facility on its grounds. It also requires credentialed journalists to be escorted by Department of Defense personnel at all times within the Pentagon.
The announcement comes after the Defense Department announced a new policy in October that required all journalists with access to the Pentagon to sign a form acknowledging they could have their credentials revoked for collecting unauthorized information. Most Pentagon reporters declined and surrendered their credentials.
The New York Times then sued the administration of President Donald Trump. On Saturday, a federal court judge ruled in the paper’s favor, stating the policy was unconstitutional and ordered the Pentagon to reinstate the credentials of seven journalists with The Times.
The Pentagon intends to appeal the decisions, and in the interim announced the new policy shuttering the Correspondents’ Corridor and mandating journalist escorts, which Sean Parnell, assistant to the Defense secretary, said in a statement was in compliance with the court’s order.
“The Department always complies with court orders but disagrees with the decision and is pursuing an appeal,” he said.
A spokesperson with The Times quickly repsonded to the new policy, saying “We will be going back to court.”
“The new policy does not comply with the judge’s order,” Charlie Stadtlander, the Times spokesperson, said in a statement.
“It continues to impose unconstitutional restrictions on the press.”
The Trump administration has repeatedly taken actions that critics say are aimed at influencing its media coverage, including the October memorandum, restricting access to outlets over editorial decisions and seizing control of the White House press pool.
Journalists and free speech organizations were quick to crticize the policy, with the National Press Club calling the closure of the Correspondents’ Corridor an effort to undermine independent reporting of the Pentagon while it is fighting a war with Iran.
“At a time when the United States is engaged in active military conflict, the public depends on journalists being able to observe, report and ask questions freely,” NPC President Mark Schoeff said in a statement.
“Independent reporting on the U.S. military is not optional. It is essential to accountability, transparency and public trust. Any policy that curtails that access should concern everyone who values a free and informed society.”
The Pentagon Press Association said it was consulting with its legal counsel, according to a statement obtained by Axios.
“Press freedom is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and an informed public is vital to democracy,” the organization said.
“At such a critical time, we ask why the Pentagon is choosing to restrict vital press freedoms that help inform all Americans.”
