A federal judge has ordered the Pentagon to restore press access after blocking a restrictive new Defense Department press policy. The ruling came after the same judge had previously found Pentagon press restrictions issued last year to be unlawful.

The Defense Department had implemented the new restrictive policy following the earlier court ruling against its previous press access limitations. However, the federal judge determined that this latest policy also violated legal standards for press access.

The court's decision requires the Pentagon to reinstate previous levels of media access that existed before the contested restrictions were put in place. The ruling represents the second time the same judge has found Pentagon press policies to be legally insufficient.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between the Defense Department and news organizations over access to military officials and information. Press access to the Pentagon has been a subject of legal dispute, with media organizations challenging what they view as overly restrictive policies that limit their ability to report on defense matters.