WASHINGTON; The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed new restrictions on media access inside the White House, barring reporters from entering parts of the press office without prior appointments.
According to a memorandum issued Friday by the National Security Council, journalists will now need prior approval to access the “Upper Press” area — home to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s office and located near the Oval Office. The memo, titled “Protecting Sensitive Material from Unauthorized Disclosure in Upper Press,” claims the move is necessary to safeguard sensitive information handled by the press team.
Until now, reporters were free to visit the area to speak directly with senior press officers for comments or confirmations. Access to the “Lower Press” area — where junior officers work — will remain open.
Officials stated the restriction follows “recent structural changes” to the National Security Council, which now deals with more sensitive material.
The Trump administration has implemented several measures tightening media access since returning to power in January. Many major outlets have reported reduced access to the Oval Office and Air Force One, while right-leaning media platforms have received greater visibility.
Earlier this month, multiple international news agencies, including AFP, declined to sign new Pentagon media regulations seen as restrictive. The Associated Press was also reportedly banned from certain White House areas after refusing to comply with Trump’s order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
Critics say the new rules mark another step toward limiting transparency and press freedom under the Trump administration.
