The Pentagon has updated its media policy after a court issued an order demanding that the Trump administration’s press access policy be changed, arguing that it was unconstitutional.
“The Court recognizes that national security must be protected, the security of our troops must be protected, and war plans must be protected,” U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman wrote in last week’s ruling. “But especially in light of the country’s recent incursion into Venezuela and its ongoing war with Iran, it is more important than ever that the public have access to information from a variety of perspectives about what its government is doing.”
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell responded to the ruling on X, detailing the revised press policy. “The court removed every provision that allowed the Department to screen press credential holders for security risks and every provision that allowed the Department to deny, revoke, or suspend a press credential based on security considerations — while simultaneously ordering the Department to immediately reinstate press credentials for the New York Times,” he wrote. “The Department always complies with court orders but disagrees with the decision and is pursuing an appeal. In the interim, and in compliance with the court’s order, I have signed the revised ‘Pentagon Reservation In-Brief for Media Members,’ effective immediately.”
Under the revised policy, the Correspondents’ Corridor will close to maintain security. In addition, all journalists with access to the Pentagon must be escorted. “Credential holders will continue to have access to the Pentagon for scheduled press briefings, press conferences, and interviews arranged through public affairs offices,” Parnell explained.
