NYT files suit against Pentagon, cites LindellTV’s Pentagon presence as “favoritism”
By Easton Martin | December 4, 2025
The New York Times filed suit in federal court this week challenging a Pentagon policy that it argues requires reporters to seek prior authorization before publishing information obtained from the Defense Department.
The Times says the policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments by granting officials broad discretion to penalize or exclude reporters based on how they gather or publish information. The lawsuit seeks to block enforcement of the rules and restore the paper’s access.
The case follows a wave of veteran Pentagon journalists who surrendered their badges rather than sign the new agreement introduced this fall. After those departures, the Pentagon filled credentials with a mix of outlets, including LindellTV. The Times cites this as evidence of favoritism toward outlets seen as friendlier to the current administration.
The problem with this claim, however, is that LindellTV’s presence alone does not prove preferential treatment. The New York Times was not forced to leave the Pentagon, they left because they didn’t like the rules. It’s only natural to be replaced if you leave when things don’t go your way.
With mainstream reporters choosing to leave, the Pentagon granted access to applicants willing to accept the terms. That sequence weakens the argument that the Pentagon “handpicked” allies.
