Pete Hegseth and Defense Department Policy

Federal Judge Paul Friedman ruled that the Pentagon violated his March 20 order by replacing the struck‑down credential policy with an escort‑only regime that effectively expelled reporters and closed a long‑used press workspace, saying the Defense Department “simply cannot reinstate an unlawful policy under the guise of taking 'new' action” and that the move “smacks of an autocracy.” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell disputed the ruling and said the department has complied and will appeal; the fight follows the Pentagon’s earlier attempt to force reporters to publish only administration‑authorized unclassified information, which led most major outlets to walk out.