White House plans to control press briefing room seating

The White House is considering taking control of the seating arrangements in the briefing room, traditionally managed by the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), as part of broader efforts to reshape media engagement. This move has sparked backlash from the WHCA, which argues that it threatens journalistic independence and is aimed at exerting pressure on coverage. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the seating changes are intended to reflect the evolving media landscape, allowing for more representation from new media outlets while reportedly diminishing the prominence of legacy media. The WHCA described the White House's actions as an attempt to monopolize the press pool and control how coverage is conducted. Critics within traditional media express concerns that this could further undermine the relationship between the press and the presidency. Supporters of the changes argue that they promote a more democratic media environment by diversifying access to different media voices.