White House Imposes New Restrictions on Press Access to Sensitive Offices

The Trump administration has imposed new restrictions on journalist access within the White House, particularly limiting entry to the "Upper Press" area near the Oval Office where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and senior communications staff operate. Reporters now require prior appointments to enter this space, a departure from previous policies that allowed free circulation to facilitate quick information exchange. The administration justifies the move by citing the need to protect sensitive material handled routinely by the White House communications team, pointing to instances where reporters allegedly recorded or photographed restricted information without permission. These changes form part of a broader pattern of limiting media access, including barring major news outlets from key presidential coverage and imposing conditions on Pentagon reporting. The White House Correspondents’ Association and various press organizations have criticized the restrictions as undermining transparency and impeding journalistic oversight. Officials argue the measures are necessary for national security and coordination of communications related to the National Security Council.