WASHINGTON: The Pentagon beefed up restrictions on journalists covering the US military on Monday, days after a court ruled that its earlier overhaul to press access was unconstitutional.
The clampdown is the latest in a string of measures by President Donald Trump and top officials against journalists and news outlets often derided as “fake news” when their reporting displeases the administration.
A federal judge ruled on Friday that the Defense Department’s changes to press access last year, which saw accreditations from a host of prominent media outlets withdrawn, violated the constitution.
But the Pentagon responded with even tighter restrictions, announcing Monday that it would close a press area called the Correspondents’ Corridor and that “all journalist access to the Pentagon will require escort by authorized Department personnel.”
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell cited security risks for the change, and said the department would appeal Friday’s court ruling.
“Effective immediately, the Correspondents’ Corridor is closed,” Parnell posted on X.
