The White House has just imposed a new rule severely limiting reporters’ access to key communications officials, sparking immediate backlash from the press corps.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!New Restrictions on “Upper Press”
A memorandum issued by the National Security Council (NSC) on Friday bans credentialed journalists from freely accessing Room 140, a West Wing area known as “Upper Press.” This hallway contains the offices of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and other senior communications aides, and is located near the Oval Office.
The major change is: Journalists can no longer enter Room 140 without a prior appointment with an authorized White House staff member. Previously, reporters could approach these officials on short notice for quick questions or information. The rule took effect immediately.
Why the Change?
The White House and the NSC cite security concerns, arguing that structural changes to the NSC mean communications staff are now “routinely engaging with sensitive material” in that area.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung added further justification, claiming reporters have been caught secretly recording video and audio, taking pictures of sensitive information, and eavesdropping on private, closed-door meetings.
Immediate Reaction
- Journalist Opposition: The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) issued a strong statement unequivocally opposing the new restrictions. WHCA President Weijia Jiang said the move “hinder[s] the press corps’ ability to question officials, ensure transparency, and hold the government accountable, to the detriment of the American public.”
- Wider Context: This restriction follows similar, highly controversial moves by the Department of Defense (Pentagon) earlier this month, where dozens of journalists rejected a new policy that they felt threatened press freedoms and independent newsgathering.
Reporters are still allowed to freely access the “Lower Press Area” outside the briefing room, where more junior spokespeople are located.
Would you like to read the official statement from the White House Correspondents’ Association, or see a side-by-side comparison of the White House and Pentagon’s new rules?
