White House Bars Reporters From Press Secretary Office Over Security

The Trump administration has imposed new restrictions on media access within the White House, specifically barring reporters from entering Room 140 in the West Wing, also known as the 'Upper Press' area, without prior appointments. This move, justified by the National Security Council as necessary to protect "sensitive material" and maintain coordination between the National Security Council and White House Communications Staff, follows incidents where some reporters were accused of unauthorized recordings and eavesdropping on private meetings. While journalists retain access to the Lower Press area near the briefing room, they must now schedule meetings to engage with senior press officials. The restrictions are part of a broader trend under President Trump’s administration to limit press access, echoing similar recent Pentagon media restrictions and sparking criticism from press associations concerned about transparency and journalistic freedom. The White House claims these measures are responses to security concerns and structural changes in handling classified information, though critics view them as efforts to curb independent media scrutiny. This policy change marks a significant shift from previous practices where accredited journalists had freer access to press offices in the White House.