White House Restricts Media Access to Trump Cabinet Meeting, Barring AP and Reuters

WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) – The White House on Wednesday barred reporters from Reuters and other major news organizations from covering President Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting of his second term, enforcing a new media access policy.

Reporters from the Associated Press, Reuters, HuffPost, and Der Tagesspiegel, a German newspaper, were denied entry. However, TV crews from ABC and Newsmax, alongside correspondents from Axios, The Blaze, Bloomberg News, and NPR, were allowed to attend.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced that the White House would now control which media outlets could cover the president in smaller spaces, such as the Oval Office, shifting away from the traditional White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA)-managed press pool system.

For decades, the AP, Bloomberg, and Reuters have been permanent members of the White House press pool, which rotates coverage among select television, radio, wire, print, and photojournalists to ensure broad access to presidential events.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that while traditional media organizations will continue day-to-day coverage, the administration is revising press access in smaller venues. She added that major cable and broadcast networks will retain their rotating seats, while new streaming platforms and radio hosts will also be included.

In response to the policy change, the three major wire services—AP, Bloomberg, and Reuters—issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of press access:

"It is essential in a democracy for the public to have access to news about their government from an independent, free press."

The WHCA also condemned the decision, while HuffPost called it a violation of the First Amendment.

The move follows the administration’s recent decision to bar the Associated Press from the White House press pool after it refused to adopt the term "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico" in its reporting.

Der Tagesspiegel has not yet responded to requests for comment.

---

Comments

2025 Masters Day 1: Justin Rose Takes Early Lead, Scheffler in the Mix, McIlroy Stumbles Late

Last Updates 1. Justin Rose, -7 (65) T2. Scottie Scheffler, -4 (68) T2. Corey Conners, -4 (68) T2. Ludvig Åberg, -4 (68) T5. Tyrrell Hatton, -3 (69) T5. Bryson DeChambeau, -3 (69) T7. 4 players tied at -2 (70) Scottie Scheffler looked poised for a title defense. Rory McIlroy seemed on track to chase the elusive career Grand Slam. Seemed. Scheffler carded a solid 4-under 68 on Thursday at the Masters, while McIlroy matched that score through 14 holes—only to unravel down the stretch. He played the final four holes in 4-over, including double bogeys on the 15th and 17th. Instead, it was McIlroy’s Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose who stole the spotlight. The Englishman fired a brilliant 7-under 65 to take the solo lead after Day 1 of the season’s first major. Rose sits three shots ahead of Scheffler, Corey Conners, and Ludvig Åberg. Here's a look back at the opening round from Augusta, Georgia, as covered in our live blog. More Updated

5 steps to mental wellbeing

5 steps to mental wellbeing Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life. 1. Connect with other people Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can: help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth give you an opportunity to share positive experiences provide emotional support and allow you to support others There are lots of things you could try to help build stronger and closer relationships: Do if possible, take time each day to be with your family, for example, try arranging a fixed time to eat dinner together arrange a day out with friends you have not seen for a while try switching off the TV to talk or play a game with your children, friends or family have lunch with a colleague visit a friend or family member who needs support or company volunteer at a local school, hospital or community group. Fin...

Tourist Helicopter Crashes into Hudson River in NYC, Killing All 6 Onboard

A tourist helicopter carrying a Spanish family crashed into the Hudson River near Lower Manhattan, New York City, on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board, including three children. More Recent Pictures The chartered New York Helicopters chopper was transporting Agustin Escobar, an executive with European automation company Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The 36-year-old pilot was also killed in the crash, according to law enforcement sources. The helicopter took off from the Wall Street Heliport and crashed at 3:17 p.m. near River Drive in Hoboken, New Jersey—just over 15 minutes into its flight. Officials said the aircraft had reached the George Washington Bridge before turning back and going down. The victims were from Barcelona, Spain, according to Spanish officials. “Our hearts go out to the family and those on board,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a press briefing. Read More

NEWSENCE

Search This Blog