Judge denies restraining order for conservative media figures who sought press passes

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Washington state lawmakers were within their rights when they declined to issue press passes to three conservative media figures

SEATTLE -- Washington state lawmakers were within their rights when they declined to issue press passes to three conservative media figures, a federal judge ruled Tuesday in a case that echoes a national discussion over who qualifies as a journalist.

The Democratic-controlled Washington House of Representatives early this year declined to issue press credentials that would have granted the three access to parts of the Capitol in Olympia that are off-limits to the general public. The body said they were not bona fide journalists because they are participants in the political arena — advocating for certain agendas and hosting or speaking at rallies.

The three filed a federal lawsuit and asked the court for an emergency temporary restraining order that would force the House to give them passes in the closing days of the session. The group includes Ari Hoffman, host of “Seattle’s Conservative Talk” show on AM 570 KVI; Brandi Kruse, host of the podcast “unDivided;” and Jonathan Choe, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, a conservative think tank.

Their lawyer, Jackson Maynard, told U.S. District Judge David Estudillo on Monday that the process used to deny them press credentials was vague and arbitrarily applied, violating their due-process rights, and withholding access because of they disagree with the lawmakers’ political views violates their constitutional rights of free speech and free press.

“In the remaining 72 hours of the legislative session, the House will potentially be wrestling with a multibillion-dollar budget and other legislation of great importance,” Maynard told the judge Monday. “My clients are the eyes and ears of the people in the legislative process. Their voices and opinions should not be excluded.”