The White House said it will control what press and reporters are permitted in the presidential press pool that covers Donald Trump.
“The White House press team in this administration will determine who will enjoy highly privileged and limited access in spaces such as Air Force 1 and oval offices,” White House spokesperson said. Caroline Leavitt said at a briefing on Tuesday.
The announcement bans the Associated Press by retaliating the outlet’s decision to rule a temporary ruling and resist Trump’s request to rename the Gulf of Mexico “The Gulf of America.” It was the day after I allowed it.
The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA), an independent association made up of media members, traditionally made the revolving pool coverage of more than 12 journalists accessible to the president in a smaller environment.
Leavitt argued that the WHCA “should not have a monopoly” of press access at the White House, saying, “Legacy media that have been here for many years will still be in the pool, but new voices will be welcomed too. .”
After Trump signed an executive order last month to direct the US Department of Interior to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico, the AP continues to use long-established Gulf names in its narrative, while also changing its efforts to change it. He said he has accepted the
In response, the White House banned AP journalists from accessing the oval office and Air Force 1, and denounced the press for “irresponsible and fraudulent reports.”
Trump’s appointee, US District Judge Trevor McFadden, declined a request to the Associated Press on Monday, regaining access to events held in the Oval Office, Air Force 1 and the White House.
Media had alleged that the decision to block reporters was in violation of First Amendment protections to the U.S. Constitution by attempting to direct the language used when reporting news.
Leavitt celebrated the judge’s decision and said the White House wanted “more outlets and new outlets to cover the press pool.” “It’s a reflection of the media habits of Americans in 2025, and the White House pool is taking the time,” she added.
In a statement, the WHCA said it was “tears at the independence of the US free press.”
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“It suggests that the government will choose journalists to cover the president. In a free country, leaders should not be able to choose their own press corps,” said Eugene Daniels, president of the organization. I said that.
“For generations, working journalists who have chosen to lead the White House Correspondents Association board have consistently expanded WHCA membership and its pool rotation to create new and emerging outlets. It encouraged the inclusion.”
The Press Commission for Freedom of the Press called it “a dramatic change in the way the public obtains information about the government.”
“The White House press pool exists to serve the public, not the presidency,” group president Bruce Brown said in a statement.
