A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Pentagon from enforcing its restrictive escort policy against credentialed reporters, signaling the third time this court has ruled against the Pentagon’s press restrictions — and the second time this judge has blocked the escort policy. 

In the 35-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman found that the escort policy — implemented by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and requiring journalists to have an official escort at all times while reporting from the Pentagon —  likely violates the First Amendment. 

Friedman also highlights the importance of the free press, writing, “This Court has spoken at several points about the critical importance of protecting the freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment, and that evergreen message bears repeating,” he writes. “As our country celebrates its 250th anniversary this very week, that principle must not be abandoned now.”

MS NOW has reached out to the Pentagon for a response. 

Friedman heard arguments in the case earlier this month. The New York Times, which brought the lawsuit, had argued the escort policy violates the First Amendment, making reporting impossible by imposing unnecessary burdens on reporters. 

The Pentagon has maintained the policy is necessary to protect military secrets and other national security information.