White House Plans to Control Press Briefing Seating

The Trump Administration is facing criticism for its decision to take control of the White House press briefing room seating chart, a move that the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) claims could lead to punitive measures against journalists. This action follows previous attempts by the administration to exert control over the press corps, including banning the Associated Press from certain areas due to its refusal to use the term 'Gulf of America.' WHCA members have expressed concerns that such measures threaten the independence of the press and may be aimed at punishing unfavorable coverage. In a related trend, reporters have started shouting questions at President Trump to influence news cycles, resulting in immediate policy responses from him. This tactic highlights the ongoing tension between the media and the administration, as journalists seek to maintain a significant impact on coverage and public discourse. The White House has not officially commented on these developments, but insiders suggest that the administration is seeking to reshape the dynamics of its relationship with the press.