Trump Administration Restricts Journalists' Access to White House Upper Press Area Citing Security Concerns

The Trump administration has implemented a new policy restricting journalists' access to a section of the White House press office, citing security concerns regarding sensitive information.

Washington:

On Friday, President Donald Trump's administration announced that reporters must now obtain prior approval to enter the area known as Upper Press, where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's office is located near the Oval Office.

Previously, journalists had been able to freely visit this area, often approaching Leavitt or senior press officials to gather information or verify stories.

According to the memorandum, reporters will still have access to "Lower Press," the area adjacent to the White House briefing room where junior press staff members work.

This restriction comes as part of broader limitations placed on media by the Trump administration, including new Pentagon regulations that major news organizations including AFP declined to sign earlier this month.

The National Security Council announced the change in a memorandum titled "protecting sensitive material from unauthorized disclosure in Upper Press."

"This memorandum directs the prohibition of press passholders from accessing... 'Upper Press,' which is situated adjacent to the Oval Office, without an appointment," stated the document addressed to Leavitt and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung.

"This policy will ensure adherence to best practices pertaining to access to sensitive material."

Officials justified the change by explaining that White House press officers now regularly handle sensitive information following "recent structural changes to the National Security Council."

President Trump has significantly restructured the once-influential NSC, placing it under Secretary of State Marco Rubio's authority after former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was reassigned in May following controversy over the use of the Signal app to coordinate strikes on Yemen.

Since returning to power in January, the Trump administration has substantially modified media access protocols.

Many mainstream news outlets have experienced reduced access to key areas like the Oval Office and Air Force One, while right-leaning, pro-Trump media organizations have received greater prominence.

Additionally, the White House barred the Associated Press from areas where President Trump speaks after the news agency refused to acknowledge his directive renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.