Judge blocks restrictive Pentagon press access policy

A federal judge blocked the Department of Defense press access policy in a lawsuit by the New York Times.

A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration's restrictive Pentagon press access policy, which threatens journalists with being ​branded security risks if they seek information not authorized for public release.

The lawsuit by the New York Times in the Washington D.C. federal court alleged that policy changes by the Defense Department last year gave it free rein to freeze out reporters and news outlets over coverage the department did not like, in violation of the Constitution's protections for free speech and due process.

President Donald Trump's administration has denied that characterization and said the policy is reasonable and necessary to protect the military.