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Sunday, Dec 07, 2025
Outside the box.
White House Moves to Appointment-Only Access for Senior Press Offices
Reporters must now schedule meetings to enter Room 140 near the Oval Office, with officials citing protection of sensitive material
The White House has introduced new access rules restricting journalists from freely entering Room 140, known as the 'Upper Press' area near the Oval Office, where the press secretary and senior communications officials work.
Under a memorandum issued by the National Security Council, credentialed reporters will now be required to make appointments before entering the suite, marking a significant change to long-standing press access traditions.
The National Security Council explained that the adjustment follows internal changes giving the communications office a greater role in handling classified and sensitive material.
“In order to protect such material and maintain coordination between National Security Council staff and White House Communications staff, members of the press are no longer permitted to access Room 140 without prior approval,” the memo stated.
Deputy Communications Director Steven Cheung said on X that some reporters had been caught recording or photographing sensitive information and entering restricted areas without permission.
He added that the change ensures privacy during meetings with Cabinet secretaries and other senior officials.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will continue to hold regular briefings in the designated press area, which remains open to credentialed journalists.
The White House Correspondents’ Association criticised the move, warning it would hinder reporters’ ability to hold officials accountable and limit transparency.
The association’s president, Weijia Jiang, said the group “unequivocally opposes any effort to limit journalists from areas within the White House communications operations that have long been accessible for newsgathering.”
The decision follows similar measures at the Department of Defense earlier this month, where new policies required reporters to sign agreements limiting how they gather and use information.
Dozens of outlets declined, choosing instead to return their Pentagon credentials.
White House officials insist the updated protocol is driven by security and efficiency, not by a desire to restrict press freedom, and stressed that scheduled access will continue to allow interviews and briefings in a more controlled environment.
The rule takes effect immediately, formally ending decades of open-door press access to one of the West Wing’s most visible corridors.
Reporters covering the White House will now need to coordinate appointments in advance to engage with senior communications staff.
Under a memorandum issued by the National Security Council, credentialed reporters will now be required to make appointments before entering the suite, marking a significant change to long-standing press access traditions.
The National Security Council explained that the adjustment follows internal changes giving the communications office a greater role in handling classified and sensitive material.
“In order to protect such material and maintain coordination between National Security Council staff and White House Communications staff, members of the press are no longer permitted to access Room 140 without prior approval,” the memo stated.
Deputy Communications Director Steven Cheung said on X that some reporters had been caught recording or photographing sensitive information and entering restricted areas without permission.
He added that the change ensures privacy during meetings with Cabinet secretaries and other senior officials.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will continue to hold regular briefings in the designated press area, which remains open to credentialed journalists.
The White House Correspondents’ Association criticised the move, warning it would hinder reporters’ ability to hold officials accountable and limit transparency.
The association’s president, Weijia Jiang, said the group “unequivocally opposes any effort to limit journalists from areas within the White House communications operations that have long been accessible for newsgathering.”
The decision follows similar measures at the Department of Defense earlier this month, where new policies required reporters to sign agreements limiting how they gather and use information.
Dozens of outlets declined, choosing instead to return their Pentagon credentials.
White House officials insist the updated protocol is driven by security and efficiency, not by a desire to restrict press freedom, and stressed that scheduled access will continue to allow interviews and briefings in a more controlled environment.
The rule takes effect immediately, formally ending decades of open-door press access to one of the West Wing’s most visible corridors.
Reporters covering the White House will now need to coordinate appointments in advance to engage with senior communications staff.
