Story perspectives

Pentagon Classifies Press Office, Bars Reporters After NYT Win

6/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Pentagon reclassified its press office as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, barring journalists, after moving speechwriters there.
Acting press secretary Jose Valdez confirmed the press office is now classified.
The New York Times sued over the escort rule, won a March ruling, and calls the interim policy retaliatory and press passes ineffective.
Reporters say the press office and Correspondents’ Corridor closure hampers interviews with Pentagon civilians and officers.

History

Historical Context

In June 1971 the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in New York Times Co. v. United States, rejecting the Nixon administration’s effort to block the Pentagon Papers leaked by Daniel Ellsberg. The decision cemented First Amendment protection against prior restraint and forced the Defense Department to justify secrecy. Today the Pentagon’s reclassification of its press office as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility has prompted a new lawsuit by the Times.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Pentagon reclassified its press office as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, barring journalists, after moving speechwriters there.
Acting press secretary Jose Valdez confirmed the press office is now classified.
The New York Times sued over the escort rule, won a March ruling, and calls the interim policy retaliatory and press passes ineffective.
Reporters say the press office and Correspondents’ Corridor closure hampers interviews with Pentagon civilians and officers.

1 / 2