Trump Administration Bars Reporters From White House Upper Press Area

The National Security Council issued a memorandum on October 31, 2025, restricting credentialed journalists from accessing Room 140, known as the Upper Press area. Located in the West Wing near the Oval Office, this area houses the offices of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Communications Director Steven Cheung. Reporters are now barred from the space without a prior appointment from an authorized staff member.

The administration stated the policy ensures the protection of sensitive material and maintains coordination between council and communications staff following a structural change to the National Security Council. Steven Cheung and Anna Kelly defended the restrictions by alleging that some reporters had engaged in surreptitious recordings, photographed sensitive information, and eavesdropped on private meetings with Cabinet secretaries.

The White House Correspondents' Association unequivocally opposed the move. President Weijia Jiang stated that the restrictions hinder the press corps' ability to ensure transparency and hold the government accountable. While journalists retain access to the Lower Press area to communicate with junior aides, the new rules limit access to senior officials.

These measures follow a similar crackdown at the Department of Defense. Those restrictions led approximately 30 news organizations to surrender their credentials and vacate their offices at the Pentagon.