Brandi Kruse (former FOX13 reporter, now hosts the “unDivided” podcast): Denied access partly because of her public positions on issues like women’s sports (opposing biological males in female categories) and her involvement with groups like Future 42, which lobbies for policy changes. The House viewed her as engaging in political advocacy rather than neutral reporting.
Jonathan Choe (former KOMO TV reporter, now senior fellow/journalism role at the conservative Discovery Institute think tank, also linked to Turning Point USA’s Frontlines): Denied because he represented a non-news think tank rather than a traditional news outlet.
Ari Hoffman (conservative talk radio host): Similar concerns about political activity, such as speaking at rallies.
The Capitol Correspondents Association (CCA, a group of mostly mainstream journalists) had historically screened applicants for the Legislature. They recommended denials based on guidelines requiring applicants to be independent observers, not participants in policy or advocacy. After earlier pushback (including from Kruse and Choe in 2025), the CCA stepped back, and the Legislature took direct control of decisions.
Kruse, Choe, and Hoffman (via the Citizens Action Defense Fund) sued the Washington House, its clerk, and the CCA in early 2026, alleging:
Viewpoint discrimination.
Arbitrary and inconsistently applied rules.
Violation of free press and due process rights.
They sought an emergency restraining order for access during the final days of the session. A federal judge denied it in March 2026, ruling the House acted within its rights.
Supporters of the journalists (including Washington Republican lawmakers and two GOP U.S. Congressmen) framed it as the Democratic majority excluding critical conservative voices while favoring aligned media. House Republicans issued their own “Republican Press Passes” to allow denied journalists limited access from their side of the chamber.
Critics (mainstream outlets and the House) argued that press passes are a privilege, not a right, and legislatures can set reasonable criteria to maintain order and distinguish journalism from activism/think-tank work. Some legacy media were accused of siding with the government in court.
