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White House Defends Appointment-Only Access to Upper Press, Citing Reporter Eavesdropping

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the limits followed incidents of secret recording by reporters.

Overview

  • Since Oct. 31, entry to Room 140 near the Oval Office requires an appointment, ending the previous open access.
  • Leavitt, echoed by communications chief Steven Cheung, accused some reporters of secretly recording and eavesdropping on staff.
  • She said journalists can still meet in Upper Press by scheduling time and claimed many privately accept the system.
  • The White House removed the correspondents’ association from overseeing the pool rotation and put selections under administration control.
  • Officials added a briefing-room seat for independent outlets and a new‑media pool slot, while the White House Correspondents’ Association publicly opposed the restrictions.