In a controversial move that has ignited fresh concerns over press freedom, the Trump administration has announced that it will assume full control over the White House press pool, a system traditionally managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).
The decision, revealed by Trump administration spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday, marks a significant departure from long-standing media practices. For decades, the WHCA has overseen the rotation of journalists representing major media outlets, including CNN, Reuters, ABC News, Fox News, and The New York Times, granting them priority access to cover presidential events.
Leavitt asserted that the administration’s new approach is aimed at diversifying media representation and reducing the influence of Washington-based journalists. “For decades, a group of DC-based journalists, the White House Correspondents’ Association, has long dictated which journalists get to ask questions of the president of the United States in these most intimate spaces. Not any more,” she declared during a press briefing.
Under the revised policy, the White House press team will independently decide which media organizations gain access to presidential events. Leavitt also revealed that the administration plans to include digital and streaming platforms in the press pool rotation, expanding participation beyond traditional media.
The WHCA, which represents journalists covering the US presidency, has sharply criticized the move, warning that it undermines the independence of the press. WHCA President Eugene Daniels expressed concern over the lack of prior consultation and the implications for journalistic freedom.
“It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps,” Daniels said in a statement.
He pledged that the WHCA would continue to advocate for comprehensive access and full transparency, vowing to protect the American public’s right to receive unbiased reporting. “The WHCA will never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency, and the right of the American public to read, listen to, and watch reports from the White House, delivered without fear or favor,” Daniels added.
When questioned about the decision during an Oval Office meeting with reporters, President Trump doubled down on the administration’s position. “We’re going to be now calling the shots,” he said, signaling a firm stance on controlling press access.
Trump also reignited tensions with The Associated Press (AP) amid an ongoing dispute over the news agency’s refusal to adopt the administration’s preferred terminology, “Gulf of America,” instead of the widely accepted “Gulf of Mexico.” The president accused AP of bias and described its reporters as “radical left lunatics.”
The conflict escalated last week when the Trump administration barred AP reporters from attending White House events. The AP responded by seeking legal intervention, arguing that the administration’s actions amount to unconstitutional censorship.
However, on Monday, US District Judge Trevor N. McFadden declined to issue an immediate order restoring the AP’s access to presidential events. McFadden stated that further legal review was necessary and scheduled a follow-up hearing for March 30. Until then, the ban on AP journalists remains in effect.
Media experts and free speech advocates warn that the Trump administration’s latest actions could set a dangerous precedent by allowing governments to select which media voices are heard. Critics argue that an independent press corps is essential for holding public officials accountable and ensuring transparency.
“A free and independent press is the cornerstone of democracy. When governments control who reports the news, public trust is eroded, and the truth becomes a casualty,” said Dr. Laura Simmons, a media ethics expert at Columbia University.
As the legal battle unfolds, the future of White House press access hangs in the balance, raising fundamental questions about the role of the media in a democratic society.
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