Court Blocks Trump's Pentagon Access Restrictions

0:00It's March 22nd. This is Canada News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. A federal judge in Washington blocked the Trump administration's plan to limit reporters' access at the Pentagon. The ruling favor to lawsuit from The New York Times over free speech concerns, halting rules that prompted most news outlets to vacate the building. Last fall, Defense Secretary Pete Hickseth wrote out strict guidelines. They warned that journalists seeking sensitive documents could be deemed security risks and lose their credentials. Hickseth also barred reporters from large areas without escorts. Major outlets including Bloomberg News, The Associated Press, The New York Times, and Five Big TV Networks refused to sign on. Their teens left the Pentagon on October 15th, after decades of working there since right after World War II. Pentagon officials disagreed with the decision and filed an immediate appeal. Hickseth called the measures straight forward protections against mishandling classified material,

1:01and President Trump voiced strong support for them. This court when underscores the press's role in holding the government accountable with taxpayer money at stake. With an appeal underway, Pentagon coverage hangs in the balance for now.