White House Restricts Press Access to Top Communications Offices

The White House has issued a new rule, effective immediately (October 31), restricting credentialed journalists from freely accessing Room 140 ("Upper Press") in the West Wing, which houses the offices of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and other senior communications officials. Journalists now require a prior appointment to enter.

The National Security Council (NSC) cited the need to protect sensitive material now routinely handled by communications officials due to changes within the NSC structure. Communications official Steven Cheung also claimed reporters had been secretly recording sensitive information, wandering into restricted areas, or ambushing Cabinet Secretaries during private meetings.

The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) unequivocally opposes the restriction, arguing it will hinder reporters' ability to question officials, ensure transparency, and hold the government accountable.

This move follows similar restrictions imposed by the Department of Defense (Pentagon) earlier this month, which prompted dozens of journalists to vacate their offices and return credentials in protest.

The Pentagon's new policy requires reporters to agree not to ask department employees to disclose classified or certain unclassified information, under threat of having their press badges revoked.