A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a Pentagon policy that restricted news reporters' access to the Defense Department, ruling that key portions of the new rules are unlawful.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman in Washington, D.C., sided with The New York Times in a lawsuit filed in December against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The newspaper challenged changes to the department's press credentialing policy implemented last year.

The New York Times alleged the policy changes gave the Defense Department authority to freeze out reporters and news outlets over coverage the department opposed, violating constitutional protections for free speech and due process. The lawsuit claimed the policy threatened journalists with being branded security risks if they sought information not authorized for public release.

Judge Friedman ruled that the Pentagon policy illegally restricts press credentials for reporters who left the building rather than agree to the new rules. Several news organizations, including The Associated Press, refused to consent to the policy changes and have continued reporting on military matters from outside the Pentagon.

The current Pentagon press corps is now comprised mostly of conservative outlets that agreed to comply with the policy. The ruling prevents the Defense Department from enforcing the contested portions of the credentialing policy while the legal challenge proceeds.