Overview

• The White House has taken direct control of the presidential press pool, removing permanent slots for wire services like the Associated Press and adding positions for non-traditional and digital media outlets.
• Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the changes, stating they aim to provide broader access to diverse media voices and are not ideologically driven.
• The Associated Press sued the administration over its exclusion, winning a court order to restore access, which the White House has yet to fully comply with, prompting ongoing legal challenges.
• Critics, including the White House Correspondents' Association, warn that the administration's control over press access could enable viewpoint discrimination and undermine journalistic independence.
• Plans to revamp the Brady Briefing Room seating chart, traditionally managed by the White House Correspondents' Association, signal further shifts in press access protocols.