White House Reshapes Press Pool, Takes Control Over Trump Coverage Assignments

In a remarkable break from an American tradition spanning a century, the White House said on Tuesday that its staffers will now make the determination regarding which news media can cover President Donald Trump routinely and get access to him directly.

This ruling changes the system of old that has had the independent press pool covering the president, questioning the president, and reporting on the president's administration to maintain accountability to the people.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained the new policy, adding that longstanding news organizations would now be rotated, with streaming platforms being considered for coverage as well, according to a report from the Associated Press (AP).

"In this administration, the White House press corps will determine who will be given the highly privileged and limited access to areas like Air Force One and the Oval Office," Leavitt explained in a press briefing.

She went on to add that, "A small group of Washington-based reporters should no longer have sole hold on White House press access."

Further, Leavitt confirmed that the administration will continue to limit the Associated Press from attending numerous presidential events.

Legal Challenge and Media Concerns
The decision was made just one day after a federal judge refused to make an immediate order that would reinstate AP's access to presidential events.

Historically, the press pool has decided who gets sent to lower-level, high-security sites like the Oval Office and Air Force One. The Trump administration is now shifting to concentrate that decision-making inside the White House.

"It's high time the White House press operations reflect the media environment of 2025, not that of 1925," Leavitt said.

Press Freedom in Peril?
The Trump administration’s new policy has sparked concerns among media analysts, who warn that it could pose a threat to First Amendment rights.

A leading expert on the relationship between the press and the presidency called the decision “a troubling shift for democracy.”

Critics contend that by giving the White House the power to decide which reporters get to see the president, the administration is eroding the fundamental values of press freedom and independent reporting.

White House Correspondents' Association President Eugene Daniels pointed out that the organization has always sought to increase media access by increasing membership and rotating press pool assignments.

"This ruling undermines the essence of press freedom in America. It creates fears that the government will selectively decide who gets to cover the president," Daniels commented in a statement. "In a democratic society, leaders shouldn't be able to choose their own press corps."