White House bars reporters’ access to parts of press secretary’s office to ‘protect sensitive material’

The administration of US President Donald Trump on Friday restricted reporters’ access to sections of the White House press office, allowing entry only by appointment, citing the need to safeguard ‘sensitive material’.

In a statement titled ‘Protecting Sensitive Material from Unauthorised Disclosure in Upper Press’, the White House said, “This memorandum directs the prohibition of press passholders from accessing Room 140 in the West Wing, also known as ‘Upper Press’, which is situated adjacent to the Oval Office, without an appointment. This policy will ensure adherence to best practices pertaining to access to sensitive material.”

“In order to protect sensitive 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 in the form of an appointment with an authorised White House Staff Member.”

The White House stated, “Members of the press may continue to freely engage with White House Press Aides in the Lower Press Area outside of the Briefing Room. In order to meet with White House Communications Staff in Room 140 or ‘Upper Press’, the press must request an appointment by emailing Press.Appointment@who.eop.gov . This policy is effective immediately.”

Steven Cheung, assistant to the President & White House Director of Communications, took to his X, “Some reporters have been caught secretly recording video and audio of our offices, along with pictures of sensitive info, without permission.”

He added, “Some reporters have wandered into restricted areas (our offices are feet away from the Oval Office), some caught eavesdropping on private, closed-door meetings. Cabinet Secretaries routinely come into our office for private meetings, only to be ambushed by reporters waiting outside our doors.”

“Press still has access to the lower press where the press team sits and can answer all inquiries. Reporters can make appointments to see us in our offices,” he wrote on X.