Judge denies restraining order for conservative media figures seeking press passes

Washington state lawmakers were within their rights to deny press credentials to three conservative media figures, a federal judge ruled.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A federal judge ruled that Washington state lawmakers were within their rights when they declined to issue press passes to three conservative media figures - Ari Hoffman, Brandi Kruse, and Jonathan Choe. The Democratic-controlled Washington House of Representatives said the three were not bona fide journalists because they are participants in the political arena, advocating for certain agendas and hosting or speaking at rallies. The three filed a federal lawsuit and asked the court for an emergency temporary restraining order that would force the House to give them passes, but the judge denied their request.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over who qualifies as a journalist in the changing media landscape, as traditional TV, radio and newspaper reporters are joined by podcasters, bloggers and other user-generated content producers. Legislatures across the country have grappled with how to address this, with some excluding certain types of media from access to government proceedings.

The details

The three media figures - Ari Hoffman, Brandi Kruse, and Jonathan Choe - filed a federal lawsuit after the Democratic-controlled Washington House of Representatives denied them press credentials that would have granted them access to parts of the Capitol in Olympia that are off-limits to the general public. The House said they were not bona fide journalists because they are participants in the political arena, advocating for certain agendas and hosting or speaking at rallies. The three asked the court for an emergency temporary restraining order that would force the House to give them passes in the closing days of the legislative session, but the judge denied their request.

  • The Democratic-controlled Washington House of Representatives denied the three media figures press credentials earlier this year.
  • The three filed the federal lawsuit and requested the temporary restraining order on Monday, March 11, 2026.

The players

Ari Hoffman

Host of the 'Seattle's Conservative Talk' show on AM 570 KVI.

Brandi Kruse

Host of the podcast 'unDivided' and involved with the political groups Let's Go Washington and Future 42.

Jonathan Choe

A senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, a conservative think tank.

Washington House of Representatives

The Democratic-controlled legislative body that denied the three media figures press credentials.

U.S. District Judge David Estudillo

The federal judge who ruled on the case.

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What they’re saying

“In the remaining 72 hours of the legislative session, the House will potentially be wrestling with a multibillion-dollar budget and other legislation of great importance. My clients are the eyes and ears of the people in the legislative process. Their voices and opinions should not be excluded.”

— Jackson Maynard, Lawyer for the three media figures (ourmidland.com)

“The court acknowledges that both parties have legitimate interests at stake here. But denying the temporary restraining order is appropriate because the three failed to show that they are likely to succeed on their free press or due process claims, and the 'House has a substantial interest in ensuring the reporters it permits to access the House floor meet the credential standards promulgated so the House may 'debate and pass laws without interruption or lobbying in that space.'”

— U.S. District Judge David Estudillo (ourmidland.com)

“We will continue to litigate this case until we either prevail or exercise every viable legal option. Our goal is to get our clients the access they are entitled to by the constitution as members of the press.”

— Jackson Maynard, Lawyer for the three media figures (ourmidland.com)

What’s next

The three media figures have vowed to continue litigating the case, so further legal action is expected.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over who qualifies as a journalist in the changing media landscape, and the challenges legislatures face in determining press access policies that balance the rights of the media with the need to maintain order and decorum in government proceedings.