New York Times Sues Pentagon Over Restrictive Press Rules

Dec 4, 2025

The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over new press rules at the Pentagon. The newspaper claims that the new policy restricts journalists’ ability to report freely and requires them to seek approval before publishing information.

According to the New York Times, the policy punishes journalists for ordinary newsgathering and restricts access to government spaces. The lawsuit argues that these restrictions violate the First and Fifth Amendment rights protected by the U.S. Constitution.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. The New York Times is seeking to have the restrictive press policy removed, stating that it represents an attempt by the government to control reporting it dislikes.

Why did the New York Times sue the Pentagon?

The New York Times sued because new Pentagon press rules restrict journalists' access and require them to get approval before publishing information.

What rights does the lawsuit claim are being violated?

The lawsuit claims the new rules violate the First Amendment right to a free press and the Fifth Amendment.

Who is named in the lawsuit?

The lawsuit names the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

What does the New York Times want to achieve with this lawsuit?

The New York Times wants the Pentagon to remove the new restrictive press policy.

Sources
New York Times Sues Hegseth, Defense Department Over New Press Rules
WSJ
The newspaper and one of its reporters accuse the administration of violating their First and Fifth Amendment rights.
New York Times sues Pentagon over press access
Reuters
The New York Times sued the U.S. Department of Defense and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday in an effort to force the Pentagon to abandon its restrictive new press policy, the latest attempt by a U.S. news organization to reclaim access to government spaces.
New York Times Sues Defense Department And Hegseth Over New Pentagon Press Rules
Forbes
In a statement, the New York Times said it had filed the lawsuit to oppose the new press policy that “punishes journalists for ordinary newsgathering.” The statement adds: “The policy is an attempt to exert control over reporting the government dislikes, in violation of a free press' right to seek i...
New York Times Sues Pentagon Over Press Access Rules, Claiming Restrictions Viol...
Deadline
The New York Times on Thursday sued the Pentagon over a new set of press access rules, imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, that has resulted in the exit of the veteran credentialed press corps from the complex. In its lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in D.C.
New York Times sues Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth over restrictive Pentagon media ru...
CNBC
The New York Times Co. sued the Defense Department and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Pentagon's new press policy. The policy, which requires reporters to seek approval before publishing information, violates free press protections enshrined by the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, th...
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