Trump Admin Seizes Control of Press Pool Access

The Trump administration has decided to take control of the White House press pool, previously managed by the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), following a court victory over the Associated Press (AP). The decision, announced by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, aims to allow more varied media outlets access to the president, breaking with decades-old traditions and deepening tensions with mainstream media. The change follows AP's exclusion from the pool after it refused to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, as per Trump's executive order. Federal Judge Trevor McFadden denied AP's request to restore access, further solidifying the administration's stance. Critics, including WHCA President Eugene Daniels, argue this move undermines the independence of the free press by allowing the government to choose which journalists cover the president. Leavitt stated the shift intends to reflect modern media habits and give more outlets the opportunity to cover the administration's activities.