Press pass showdown: New York Times takes Trump administration's Pentagon to court

The New York Times is suing the Defense Department over a controversial press policy.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday, challenges rules that require Pentagon reporters to pledge not to seek any information the government hasn’t authorized for release.

The Times says the policy violates First Amendment press freedoms.

Dozens of reporters from major news outlets turned in their press badges rather than sign the agreement when it took effect in October. Scripps News was among the outlets that did not sign the Pentagon agreement.

The Pentagon Press Association supports the Times’ suit. Scripps News is a participating member of the Pentagon Press Association.

“The Pentagon Press Association is encouraged by The New York Times’ effort to step up and defend press freedom,” the association said.