Citing structural changes and security concerns, reporters were barred from entering key areas of the White House without prior approval.
Published October 31, 2025
President Donald Trump’s administration has barred reporters from accessing parts of the White House press room without a reservation, citing the need to protect “classified material.”
The National Security Council (NSC) said in a memo to White House communications director Stephen Chan and press secretary Caroline Leavitt on Friday that journalists are “no longer permitted” to visit the section where Leavitt’s office is located “without prior approval in the form of an appointment.”
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The National Security Council said the change was made because changes in the structure of the NSC have resulted in White House communications personnel becoming “routinely involved in classified matters.”
“In order to protect such materials and maintain coordination between the National Security Council staff and the White House communications staff, members of the press will no longer be permitted access to Room 140 without prior approval in the form of an appointment with authorized White House staff,” the memo said.
The White House’s move follows restrictions placed on reporters at the Pentagon earlier this month, which forced dozens of journalists to vacate their offices and surrender their credentials.
Until now, accredited White House journalists have been able to gain impromptu access to Room 140, a short hallway from the Oval Office known as the “upper press,” to speak with Mr. Leavitt, aide Chan and other senior officials.
The White House Correspondents Association, which represents journalists who cover the White House, could not be reached for comment.
The Trump administration several months ago removed Reuters, Associated Press and Bloomberg News from the permanent “pool” of reporters covering the president, although those outlets have been allowed to participate sporadically.
Friday’s announcement comes weeks after a crackdown on media access by the Pentagon, requiring news organizations to sign a new policy or lose their media credentials and access to Pentagon workspace.
At least 30 news organizations have refused to agree to the Pentagon’s restrictions, citing threats to press freedom and the ability to conduct independent reporting.
The Pentagon’s policy requires journalists to accept new rules regarding media access, including that if they ask newsroom employees to disclose classified information or certain unclassified information, they can be branded a security risk and have their Pentagon press badges revoked.
