White House Reshapes Press Pool Access Amid Controversy

The Trump administration has announced a significant shift in how the White House press pool is determined, now allowing the administration to select which media outlets can cover the president, breaking with a long-standing tradition of an independent press pool managed by the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA). This change, framed as an effort to modernize media access, comes after the Associated Press was barred from presidential events due to its refusal to use the term 'Gulf of America' instead of 'Gulf of Mexico.' Critics, including WHCA President Eugene Daniels, argue that this move undermines press freedom and could lead to politically motivated exclusions of journalists. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that traditional outlets would still be included, but new media voices would also be welcomed. The decision has drawn sharp condemnation and raises concerns about government control over media access, with ongoing legal battles regarding the AP's access. The future of press access will be further examined in upcoming court hearings.