Pentagon Closes Correspondents' Corridor After Federal Judge Reinstates Press Credentials

The Defense Department closed the Correspondents' Corridor, a workspace used by reporters covering the military for decades, effective immediately on Monday. The closure came days after U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ordered the Pentagon to reinstate press credentials for seven New York Times journalists and struck down restrictions on news reporting. Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell stated that 'unescorted access to the Pentagon cannot be responsibly maintained without the ability to screen credential holders for security risks.' A new press workspace will be established in an annex facility outside the Pentagon. The Pentagon Press Association called the move 'a clear violation of the letter and spirit of last week's ruling.' The closure restricts press proximity to senior defense and intelligence officials during an active war.