AG James today took action to defend the freedom of the press and the First Amendment, filing an amicus brief to support a lawsuit brought by the New York Times against the Department of Defense’s (DOD) new policies that effectively bar independent journalists from accessing the Pentagon. In the fall of 2025, DOD imposed new conditions on press access in the Pentagon, requiring journalists to agree to new rules severely limiting their abilities to do the essential responsibilities of their jobs, including asking questions of sources and publishing new information. Nearly all news organizations with press access to the Pentagon refused to agree to the new rules and instead turned in their press credentials. In December 2025, the New York Times sued DOD, arguing the new rules violate the First Amendment. In an amicus brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Attorney General James urges the court to grant the New York Times’ motion for summary judgment, halting the enforcement of DOD’s new restrictions. 

“The freedom of the press is critically important to our Constitution and our democracy, All Americans, especially families of active duty troops, deserve clear and unbiased information about the military decisions that impact our servicemembers. The administration’s attack on the independence of the press is a clear violation of our Constitution, and I hope the court acts swiftly to protect the First Amendment and strike down this new policy.” – AG James