Restricting displayed posts to posts from only select authors

Yes, you can use the pre_get_posts hook. From the docs:

Fires after the query variable object is created, but before the actual query is run.

In other words, this hook allows you to alter the WP query before it runs, so you can throw in whatever conditionals to suit your needs.

Here is the structure of how you would use this hook with add_action():

// Define your callback for the action
function wpse_modify_original_query($query){
    // Here you can do whatever you want with the $query
}

// Attach your callback to the pre_get_posts action hook
add_action('pre_get_posts', 'wpse_modify_original_query');

You may also combine it with other conditionals to only apply its effect when you need it, like only for archive or admin pages, using is_archive() or is_admin().

For example:

function wpse_modify_original_query($query){
    if(is_archive() or is_admin()){
    // This query is for an archive or admin page, restrict to specific authors
    $query->set('author__in', array(2,4,6)); // Your desired authors ids
    }
}
add_action('pre_get_posts', 'wpse_modify_original_query');

But as you mentioned in your question, just “hiding” posts is not a clean approach to solve your problems with spam. If you provide more information about how those authors are making it to your dashboard we can help you find a better solution.

For example, a good solution would be to verify posts before they get published or at least verifying the first post a new user publishes. If it’s a good one then you allow them to keep publishing.

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