New York Times Sues Pentagon Over Access Restrictions

The New York Times filed a lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., challenging new Pentagon rules that restrict journalists' access to the military complex, arguing the policy violates the First Amendment and due process protections. The suit, brought by the newspaper and one of its defense reporters, names the Department of Defense, Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell as defendants, seeking an injunction to block enforcement of the rules.

The restrictions, implemented in October, require reporters to sign a 21-page agreement pledging not to obtain, publish, or solicit unauthorized information from government employees, even if it is unclassified or gathered off Pentagon grounds. The policy grants officials broad discretion to suspend or revoke credentials if they deem a journalist or outlet poses a security or safety risk based on such activities. Many news organizations viewed the terms as limiting their ability to conduct independent reporting beyond official statements, prompting widespread refusal to comply.

In mid-October, journalists from outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, The Associated Press,...