Trending Now - Judge Rejects Restraining Order for Conservative Media Figures
WHO:
U.S. District Judge David Estudillo
Ari Hoffman, host of “Seattle’s Conservative Talk” show on AM 570 KVI
Brandi Kruse, host of the podcast “unDivided”
Jonathan Choe, senior fellow at the Discovery Institute
Jackson Maynard, lawyer for the plaintiffs
Jessica Goldman, lawyer for the House of Representatives
WHAT:
A federal judge ruled that Washington state lawmakers were within their rights to deny press passes to three conservative media figures.
The Democratic-controlled Washington House of Representatives declined to issue press credentials to the three individuals.
The three filed a federal lawsuit and requested an emergency temporary restraining order.
The judge denied the temporary restraining order, stating the plaintiffs failed to show likely success on their claims.
The House has a substantial interest in ensuring reporters meet credential standards.
WHERE:
Washington State Capitol, Olympia, Washington
Discovery Institute, a conservative think tank
WHEN:
The ruling was made on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026.
The legislative session was set to conclude in 72 hours from the time of the court hearing.
WHY:
The House declined to issue press passes because the individuals were deemed not to be bona fide journalists, as they were participants in the political arena.
The plaintiffs argued that denying them access violated their constitutional rights of free speech and free press.
HOW:
The plaintiffs claimed the process used to deny them press credentials was vague and arbitrarily applied.
The Washington State Capitol Correspondents Association guidelines state that press passes are granted to bona fide journalists, distinguishing between journalism and political work.
(UPDATED March 11, 2026 01:30 UTC)
A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Washington state lawmakers were justified in denying press passes to three conservative media figures, including Ari Hoffman and Brandi Kruse, who had filed a lawsuit after being refused credentials by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. U.S. District Judge David Estudillo denied their request for a temporary restraining order, stating that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate a likelihood of success on their claims, as the House has a vested interest in ensuring that reporters meet certain credential standards. The House deemed the individuals not to be bona fide journalists, arguing that their involvement in the political arena disqualified them from receiving press credentials.