Federal judge denies press pass restraining order for Washington media figures

Lawmakers deemed the plaintiffs as political participants, not neutral observers, and denied them floor access

Mar. 10, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A federal judge in Tacoma, Washington ruled that state lawmakers were within their rights to deny press passes to media figures Brandi Kruse, Jonathan Choe and Ari Hoffman, who had sued the legislature and Capitol Correspondents Association claiming the denial of access violated their constitutional rights. The judge determined the plaintiffs failed to show they were denied passes due to political affiliations and that the legislature had a substantial interest in ensuring reporters on the floor met credential standards.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over press access and credentials, with lawmakers arguing some media figures are political participants rather than neutral observers, while the plaintiffs contend their exclusion violates constitutional protections for freedom of the press.

The details

Earlier this year, the Democratic-controlled Washington state House of Representatives declined to issue press credentials to Kruse, Choe and Hoffman that would have allowed them on the legislative floor during the current 60-day session. House officials said the three conservative media figures did not meet the 'bona fide' journalist criteria required for floor access, arguing they are 'opinion' journalists who are political participants rather than neutral observers. The plaintiffs sued, seeking an emergency restraining order to gain floor access, but the federal judge ruled they failed to show the process was arbitrary or that they were denied due to political affiliations.

  • The 60-day legislative session in Washington is set to adjourn on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • The case was removed from Thurston County Superior Court to federal court on March 2, 2026.

The players

Brandi Kruse

One of the three media figures denied press credentials by the Washington state legislature.

Jonathan Choe

One of the three media figures denied press credentials by the Washington state legislature.

Ari Hoffman

One of the three media figures denied press credentials by the Washington state legislature.

Washington State House of Representatives

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

Capitol Correspondents Association

The organization that handles media credential requests for the Washington state legislature.

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What they’re saying

“The plaintiffs here are not just attending an event, which journalists do all the time. These plaintiffs did way more than that. They were the leaders of these events. They were the keynote speakers … they have attached their fame and notoriety to trying to get these legislative … these laws passed by the Legislature.”

— Jessica Goldman, Attorney, Summit Law Group

“The process used to award press passes by the defendants clearly violates the federal and state constitutional protections, freedom of the press and due process. My clients are the eyes and ears of the people in the legislative process. Their voices and opinions should not be excluded.”

— Jackson Maynard, Executive Director, Citizen Action Defense Fund

“The Court acknowledges that both parties have legitimate interests at stake here, but because Plaintiffs have not shown a likelihood of success on the merits on their free press or due process claims, and because 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

What’s next

The plaintiffs stated they will continue to litigate the case, though they are not appealing the denial of the temporary restraining order given the short time remaining in the legislative session.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between media access and legislative authority, with lawmakers arguing some media figures are political participants rather than neutral observers, while the plaintiffs contend their exclusion violates constitutional press freedoms. The outcome underscores the challenges in balancing these competing interests.