A federal judge has struck down the Trump administration's Pentagon press restrictions, ruling they violate the First Amendment. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's policy required journalists to agree not to seek unauthorized information, leading mainstream outlets to surrender credentials while Trump loyalists gained access to military briefings.

Judge Paul L. Friedman declared the policy unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination that attempted to replace independent journalism with administration-friendly voices. The judge noted this "sea change" in press relations came amid military actions in Venezuela and Iran, when public access to information matters most for democratic decision-making.

The ruling represents a significant rebuke to the administration's broader efforts to control media narratives, including lawsuits against critical outlets and revoked leak protections. While the decision faces potential appeal before a conservative-dominated Supreme Court, it stands as a strong affirmation of constitutional press freedoms.