The White House announced a significant shift in its press pool policy, stating that it will now decide which news outlets are allowed to cover President Donald Trump. This move marks a departure from the long-standing tradition where the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) independently selected journalists to cover presidential events.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the decision aims to modernize the press pool by including more streaming services and “new media” outlets, thus restoring access to the American people. However, this change has sparked concerns among media experts about potential First Amendment implications.
The decision has already led to the exclusion of The Associated Press (AP) from certain presidential events, following their refusal to adopt the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico” as preferred by President Trump. A federal judge recently upheld the White House’s decision to restrict AP’s access, though he noted that the legal standing of the administration appeared weak.
The National Press Club President joined the WHCA and other media outlets in criticizing the policy, arguing that it threatens press freedom.
“The White House’s announcement today is a direct challenge to the independence of a free press in the United States. For nearly a century, the journalists who make up the White House press pool have ensured that the American people know where their president is, what he’s doing and what he’s saying in real time,” National Press Club President Mike Balsamo said in a statement.
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