White House Tightens Press Access, Barring Unscheduled Visits to Upper Press

Overview

• An NSC memo now prohibits accredited reporters from entering the Upper Press without prior approval and an appointment.
• Access to the Lower Press adjacent to the briefing room remains in place for credentialed media.
• The memo was addressed to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Communications Director Steven Cheung.
• Cheung defended the policy by alleging reporters ambushed staff and recorded them covertly, claims reported without presented evidence.
• The restriction aligns with a broader narrowing of media access under President Trump, including recent Pentagon rules that outlets such as AFP declined to accept.