WASHINGTON: The White House has introduced new restrictions on media access to parts of the West Wing, limiting journalists’ ability to approach senior communications officials near the Oval Office freely.
According to Reuters, a memorandum issued by the National Security Council on Friday bars credentialed reporters from entering Room 140 — known as “Upper Press” — without an appointment. The NSC said the decision was made to safeguard “potentially sensitive material” and took effect immediately.
The change follows similar restrictions introduced earlier this month at the Department of Defense, where several reporters vacated offices at the Pentagon after being asked to sign new access policies.
“In order to protect such material and maintain coordination between National Security Council staff and White House communications officials, members of the press are no longer permitted to access Room 140 without prior approval,” the memo stated.
Previously, accredited journalists could walk into the area adjoining the press secretary’s office to seek comment or clarification from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, her deputy Steven Cheung, and other senior aides.
Cheung wrote on social media that some reporters had “secretly recorded video and audio” and taken photographs of sensitive information without authorization. He added that journalists occasionally entered restricted zones or eavesdropped on private meetings.
“Cabinet Secretaries routinely come into our office for private meetings, only to be ambushed by reporters waiting outside our doors,” Cheung said in a post on X.
The new policy does not affect the lower-level press workspace, where other spokespeople and communications staff are stationed.
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) criticized the measure, saying it would make it harder for journalists to question officials and ensure transparency.
“The WHCA unequivocally opposes any effort to limit journalists from areas within the White House communications operation that have long been open for newsgathering, including the press secretary’s office,” said association president Weijia Jiang.
A similar restriction imposed during the Clinton administration in 1993 was later withdrawn following backlash from media organizations.
The new White House rule comes amid broader tensions over media access in Washington. Earlier this month, the Pentagon required news outlets to agree to new security terms or risk losing credentials — a policy that at least 30 organizations, including Reuters, declined to sign, citing concerns over press freedom.
