Background context includes prior press-pass removals during the Trump era and references to Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson and ongoing changes to the Pentagon press corps.

Pentagon officials maintain access to military facilities is a privilege regulated to prevent leaks and protect operations.

The Times has linked its filing to a document and invited media inquiries through a provided address.

The policy—pushed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in September—requires media outlets to pledge not to collect information unless explicitly authorized by defense officials.

Industry-wide opposition followed, with outlets such as CNN, Fox News Media, CBS News, and NBC News criticizing the policy.

The New York Times filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C. alleging that the Pentagon’s new press pass policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments by allowing officials to revoke journalists’ credentials for reporting on topics not approved by the government.

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who oversaw Trump-related investigations, has a December subpoena to testify before a Republican-led House committee amid debates over whether testimony should be public or private.

Reports note a shift toward a pro-Trump press corps at the Pentagon, with orientation sessions for favorable outlets and high-profile right-wing media attending Pentagon briefings.

The policy aligns with broader battles over DoD information access, including a rotating media workstation program that excluded certain outlets from in-house assignments.

Defense officials argue the policy prevents leaks that could jeopardize national security, while critics say it curtails independent coverage during the Trump era.

The Times’ lawsuit follows prior legal challenges over White House access, with other outlets like the Associated Press pursuing similar disputes over press access in past administrations.

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee released undisclosed Epstein-related materials as part of ongoing investigations, highlighting calls for transparency and new disclosures from Trump-related investigations.