Overview
- An NSC memorandum issued Friday took immediate effect, requiring accredited reporters to book appointments to enter the Upper Press area near the president's office.
- The rule covers Room 140, which houses Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, her deputy Steven Cheung, and other senior staff, replacing previous drop-in access.
- Officials cite structural changes that put press office personnel in routine contact with sensitive information as the reason for the restriction.
- The White House Correspondents' Association criticized the move as a barrier to questioning officials and maintaining transparency.
- The step follows recent Pentagon accreditation demands rejected by at least 30 outlets, including Reuters, and earlier removal of Reuters, AP, and Bloomberg from the presidential pool.