New York Times sues Pentagon over access
By: Helen Coster
Reuters
NEW YORK - The New York Times sued the Department of War, formally he Department of Defense, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on December 4 2025] in an effort to force the Pentagon to abandon its restrictives new press policy, the latest attempt by a news organization to reclaim access to government spaces.
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The press policy, enacted in November, [2025] requires journalists to acknowledge that they could be branded security risks and have their Pentagon press badges revoked if they ask department employees to disclose classified and some types of unclassified information.
..... The lawsuit, field in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, also names chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
..... At least 30 news organizations, including fox News, the Washington Post and Reuters, chose to give up their press badges rather than sign the new policy, citing a threat to press freedoms and their ability to conduct independent newsgathereing on the world's most powerful military.
..... In its complaint, the Times alleges that the policy violates the rights to free speech and due process and that, if allowed to stand, will "deprive the public of vital information about the United States military and its leadership."
..... "The policy is an attempt to exert control over reporting the government dislikes, is violation of a free press' right to seek information under there First and Fifth amendment rights protected by the constitution." New York Times spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander said in a statement.
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Representatives for the Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.
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The policy enacted under Hegseth states that receiving or publishing sensitive information "is generally protected by the First Amendment" but adds that soliciting the disclosure of such information "may weight in the consideration of whether you pose a security or safety risk."
..... Credentialed reporters have traditionally been limited to unclassified spaces in the Pentagon and have worked across the hallway form the Pentagon press office, which has allowed them access to depart net spokespeople.
..... Since the exodus of traditional media outlets last month, [11/2025] the Pentagon has assembled a new press corps consisting largely of pro-Trump outlets and individuals.
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They include activists Laura Loomer; LidellTV, a digital news site run by election conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell; and James O'Keefe, who founded the right-wing group Project Veritas and now runs O'Keefe Media Group.
..... The New York Times' action follows a February [2025] lawsuit by The Associated Press, which sued three senior Trump aides after the White House limited The AP's access to press gatherings.
..... In his April [2025] ruling, U.S. district judge Trevor McFadden said The AP was entitled to a preliminary injunction in its favor, but the D.C. Circuit in June [2025] paused that injunction whole it considered the administration's appeal.