Trump administration limits circulation in the West Wing and expands control over official coverage
The White House published on Friday (October 31, 2025) a rule that restricts the access of accredited journalists to the West Wing, especially to the offices of the press secretary and close advisors to the president (Republican Party). The decision represents one of the most significant changes in the relationship between the government and the press since the beginning of the mandate.
According to a memo from the National Security Council, access to the so-called Room 140 — known as Upper Press — now requires prior appointment with an authorized member of the White House. Previously, reporters with credentials could freely circulate in the space to speak with the press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, and other senior communications officials, even outside official interview times. The information is from .
The document justifies the change due to the need to “protect possibly sensitive material” handled by the communications team. The White House stated that “some reporters were caught secretly recording video and audio of our offices, as well as photos of sensitive information, without permission”and that “some wandered into restricted areas or eavesdropped on private meetings behind closed doors”. The note does not mention names or media outlets involved in these episodes.
The WHCA (acronym in English for White House Correspondents’ Association) criticized the measure, stating that the restrictions undermine transparency and make the work of monitoring the press difficult. According to the entity, daily interaction with government officials is an essential part of journalistic coverage of the Presidency and guarantees quick access to information of public interest.
Months earlier, the Trump administration had withdrawn the agencies Reuters, Associated Press e Bloomberg News of the fixed group of reporters who accompany the president daily, allowing these vehicles to participate only on an occasional basis.
In September, the Pentagon issued a memo according to which all accredited journalists will only be able to disclose the institution’s information — even unclassified information — after approval from an authorized official. The document requires media outlets to sign a new form with terms of accreditation, defines that new credentials will have the word “MEDIA” in red letters, and determines that reporters only circulate in authorized areas, with an escort if outside them.
The new rule took effect immediately after the memo was published.
