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 personalities, a federal judge ruled.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A federal judge in Seattle ruled that Washington state lawmakers did not violate the constitutional rights of three conservative media figures when they denied them press credentials to access the state Capitol. The three had sued, arguing the credentialing process was vague and arbitrary, but the judge found the lawmakers were within their rights to limit access to 'bona fide journalists' who are 'independent observers and monitors, not participants with a stake in the proceedings.'

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over who qualifies as a 'journalist' and should be granted special access to government proceedings, especially as the media landscape continues to evolve with the rise of podcasters, social media influencers, and partisan news outlets. Legislatures across the country have grappled with setting standards for press credentials that balance transparency and access with maintaining order and impartiality in government proceedings.

The details

The three conservative media figures - Ari Hoffman, Brandi Kruse, and Jonathan Choe - sued after the Democratic-controlled Washington House of Representatives denied them press credentials that would have granted them access to parts of the state Capitol off-limits to the general public. The House said the three were not 'bona fide journalists' because they are 'participants in the political arena' who advocate for certain agendas and speak at rallies. The three argued the credentialing process was vague and arbitrary, violating their constitutional rights. But the judge ruled they failed to show they were denied access due to their political views or that the process was unfair, finding the House has a 'substantial interest' in limiting access to 'independent observers and monitors' rather than 'participants with a stake in the proceedings.'

  • The Washington House of Representatives denied the three press credentials earlier this year.
  • The three filed a federal lawsuit and asked for an emergency restraining order on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • The judge issued his ruling denying the restraining order on Tuesday, 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

Senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, a conservative think tank, who requested a press pass as a representative of 'Discovery Institute/Frontlines TPUSA.'

Washington House of Representatives

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

U.S. District Judge David Estudillo

The federal judge who ruled against granting the three a temporary restraining order to force the House to issue them press passes.

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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 conservative media figures

“It's also important to understand that the plaintiffs here were not just attending an event, which obviously journalists do all the time. They were the leaders of these events that they attended. They were their keynote speakers. They have attached their names and their fame and notoriety to trying to get these … laws passed by the legislature.”

— Jessica Goldman, Lawyer for the Washington House of Representatives

What’s next

The three conservative media figures could potentially appeal the judge's ruling denying their request for a temporary restraining order, though the legislative session they were seeking access for has already ended.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing challenges legislatures face in determining who qualifies as a 'journalist' deserving special access, as the media landscape continues to evolve. While the judge ruled the Washington House acted within its rights, the debate over press credentials and political participation is likely to continue in statehouses across the country.