Free Speech and Due Process in the Pentagon
Judge Blocks Pentagon Press Policy as Unconstitutional (Verity, 21 Mar 2026)
Fact:
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, found that "undisputed evidence" showed the policy was designed to remove "disfavored journalists" and replace them with those "on board and willing to serve" the government.
Several observations about this news and specific article link.
First, the source, Verity News, is an outstanding app and website breaking down facts and political perspectives on current events. I’ve been using this for a couple weeks and really like it. Next month’s Media Education Lab webinar will focus on Verity and analyzing spin / perspective in current events, as well as suggestions for how to teach this in the classroom with students.
I will get more details posted later today on the MEL website, here is the series registration link.
Verity News is the latest iteration of a public news product, completely free and open to anyone, created by MIT professor Max Tegmark and his “Improve the News Foundation.”
Secondly, I will observe that we continue to see from the executive branch of the USG with their policy declarations, executive orders, etc. a predictable pattern. Officials are not as concerned about whether their actions are legal or not, or will be challenged / overturned in court. This administration simply does what it wants, acting as if there are no checks and balances on U.S. executive power. These actions are not only performative for “the base of President Trump (read the racist / misogynistic / cruel ragtag band of pro-authoritarian/ fascist supporters) they also continue to shape a culture of fear and strictly enforced loyalty in government and military service.
Fortunately, however, we still DO live in a Constitutional Republic in the United States of America, and there are many ways our officials and we had citizens can push back to support our values. I am glad to see the federal judge in this case pushing back on this illegal policy by the Pentagon, and supporting both first and fourth amendment Constitutional rights protecting free speech and due process.
Let’s keep working to “Resist and Heal.” Links to many of the “trusted voices” I recommend are on:
https://www.resistandheal.com/trusted-voices
One of the tangible ways we can all make our voices heard together is by attending, protesting and marching at the “No Kings 3” rallies nationwide next Saturday on March 28. Register and plan to be there:
More links to my advocacy channels for representative democracy, human rights, religious tolerance, and the rule of law are on:
https://wesfryer.com/advocacy/
#politics #ConCW #polarization #military #culturewar