Court Upholds Pentagon’s Escort Policy for Journalists

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has ruled in favor of the government in a significant case concerning press freedom, affecting the New York Times. The decision, handed down by a three-judge panel, supports a Defense Department policy. This policy mandates that journalists have government escorts when working at the Pentagon. The ruling overturns a previous decision by a lower court and deals a setback to the New York Times’ lawsuit.

The dispute has been ongoing since Donald Trump began his presidency in January 2025. The standoff between the Pentagon and journalists has been intense, highlighting the ongoing tension between national security and press freedom.