New York Times Sues Pentagon Over 21-Page Press Access Rules

Overview

• The lawsuit was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and names the Defense Department, Secretary Pete Hegseth, and chief spokesman Sean Parnell.
• The challenged policy, issued Oct. 6 as the Pentagon Facility Alternate Credentials program, requires reporters to sign a 21-page agreement and allows officials broad discretion to suspend or revoke badges.
• The Times argues the rules violate the First Amendment and also infringe Fifth Amendment due-process protections by enabling credential removal without adequate standards.
• The complaint seeks an injunction halting enforcement of the policy and a court declaration that provisions restricting newsgathering are unlawful.
• The Pentagon acknowledged the suit through an official statement and reporters who declined to sign continue covering the department from outside while other outlets attend on-site briefings.