Judge Slams Pentagon for 'Blatant Attempt' to Skirt Court Order on Press Access

The Trump administration's 'targeted clarifications' to a policy restricting media access were seen as a transparent effort to undermine a previous ruling.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:25pm

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A dimly lit, empty hallway inside the Pentagon, with sunlight streaming in through windows and casting long shadows on the floor, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the tension between government control and press freedom.The Pentagon's attempts to restrict media access have sparked a legal battle over the balance between national security and the public's right to information.Washington Today

A federal judge has sharply criticized the Pentagon for failing to comply with a court order that blocked its policy restricting media access, accusing the Trump administration of a 'blatant attempt to circumvent a lawful order' by quickly implementing a revised policy that still limited journalists' ability to freely report from the building.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the press, with the government seeking to control the flow of information to the public. The judge's strong rebuke signals the court's commitment to protecting the First Amendment rights of journalists, even as the Pentagon tries to work around unfavorable rulings.

The details

In March, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ruled that the Pentagon's 'Pentagon Facility Alternate Credentials' (PFACs) policy, which restricted access for certain media outlets, was unconstitutional. Rather than comply, the administration quickly issued a 'revised' policy that still limited journalists' ability to freely move through the Pentagon, including an 'abrupt closure of the Correspondents' Corridor' and a 'ban on credentialed journalists traveling unescorted.' The judge saw this as a 'blatant attempt to circumvent' his previous order, writing that the Constitution 'demands better' of the Defense Secretary.

  • On March 20, Judge Friedman ruled the Pentagon's PFAC policy was unconstitutional.
  • In the weeks after the ruling, the Pentagon issued a 'revised' policy that still restricted media access.

The players

Judge Paul Friedman

A U.S. District Judge appointed by President Bill Clinton who ruled against the Pentagon's media access policy.

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. Secretary of Defense, who was accused of trying to 'dictate the information received by the American people' through the Pentagon's restrictive media policies.

New York Times

The newspaper that successfully sued the Pentagon over its unconstitutional media access policy.

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What they’re saying

“The Court cannot conclude this Opinion without noting once again what this case is really about: the attempt by the Secretary of Defense to dictate the information received by the American people, to control the message so that the public hears and sees only what the Secretary and the Trump Administration want them to hear and see.”

— Judge Paul Friedman, U.S. District Judge

“[I]t reinstated the PFACs of every journalist identified in the Order and issued a materially revised policy that addressed every concern the Court identified in its March 20 Opinion. The Department remains committed to press access at the Pentagon while fulfilling its statutory obligation to ensure the safe and secure operation of the Pentagon Reservation.”

— Sean Parnell, Chief Pentagon Spokesman

What’s next

The Pentagon has stated it intends to appeal Judge Friedman's latest ruling, continuing the legal battle over media access to the building.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing clash between the Trump administration's efforts to control the flow of information and the courts' role in protecting the First Amendment rights of journalists. The judge's strong rebuke signals that the judiciary remains committed to upholding press freedoms, even as the government tries to work around unfavorable rulings.