JUST IN: A federal judge has rejected the Pentagon’s revised press policy, ruling that it violated his earlier order and amounted to an attempt by Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration to control what the American people see and hear.

JUST IN: A federal judge has rejected the Pentagon’s revised press policy, ruling that it violated his earlier order and amounted to an attempt by Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration to control what the American people see and hear.

Judge Paul Friedman did not mince words. He said the Pentagon’s move was an effort to “dictate” coverage and called that what it is: “the mark of an autocracy, not a democracy.”

The judge found that after being ordered to restore reporters’ access, the Pentagon tried to pull an end-run around the ruling by rewriting the policy with slightly different language while keeping the same unconstitutional restrictions in place. He also blasted the Pentagon for shutting down journalists’ meaningful access to the building, making it harder for reporters to do their jobs and keep the public informed.

In his opinion, Friedman made clear that this case is about far more than press credentials. It is about whether the government can punish journalists, limit access, and shape coverage to protect those in power from scrutiny.

His answer was clear: the Constitution does not allow it.