D.C. Appeals Court Restores Pentagon Escort Rule for Journalists, Reversing June Block
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
D.C. Appeals Court Restores Pentagon Escort Rule for Journalists, Reversing June Block
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Summary
A divided three-judge D.C. Circuit panel let the Pentagon again require escorts for all journalists entering the building while The New York Times' challenge proceeds.
Two judges said the rule was applied neutrally and had shown no distinct harm to The Times; a third judge would have kept the June pause in place.
The dispute stems from media restrictions Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth imposed in October, after which The Times sued in December and won a March ruling against parts of the policy.
A revised Pentagon policy issued days later added the escort requirement, which The Times challenged again in May as retaliatory and harmful to reporting; the Pentagon says escorts protect sensitive areas without impeding newsgathering.