During a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on March 19 in Washington, DC, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fielded questions from reporters. In response to reports suggesting the Trump administration’s plan to control the press briefing room seating chart, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) has strongly criticized this move.
In a memo addressed to its nearly 900 members on Monday, the association denounced the administration’s attempt to manipulate the seating arrangements as a misguided effort to exert pressure on journalists and influence coverage that they disagree with. Axios and CNN revealed on Sunday that the White House intends to take over the seating assignments, a responsibility traditionally managed by the association for decades.
President of the WHCA, Eugene Daniels, expressed concerns that this reported plan could lead to the punishment rather than the elevation of journalists. Similar actions have been observed at the Pentagon, where the administration ousted longstanding outlets in favor of those aligning with their views.
Since the start of Trump’s second term, there has been a discernible push from Trump and his press team to disrupt established norms and traditions within the White House press corps. These actions consistently lean towards promoting pro-Trump voices while penalizing perceived adversaries.
In February, The Associated Press was barred from several presidential events, prompting legal action in response. Additionally, the White House has taken steps to rearrange the daily “press pool” of reporters traveling with Trump, circumventing the association’s oversight.
While Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claims to be embracing digital media and accommodating more journalists, the actual changes seem to benefit pro-Trump media outlets that offer favorable coverage rather than objective reporting on the administration.
The association, representing members from 296 news organizations, finds itself in a challenging position. Despite being competitors to some degree, these journalists collaborate to ensure unfettered access to the White House. The association’s board, composed of elected journalists, is tasked with upholding the responsibilities that the Trump administration seeks to usurp.
Seating in the briefing room is allocated by the association based on factors such as the extent of resources devoted to White House coverage and audience reach. Traditionally, journalists from major TV networks, news agencies, newspapers, and radio networks occupy the front rows.
In his memo on Monday, Daniels highlighted the association’s inclusion of digital-only members, including conservative outlets like the Daily Caller and Newsmax. He reiterated the association’s willingness to engage with the White House to accommodate diverse forms of journalism.
While some Trump allies and former Republican press secretaries advocate for an overhaul of the current system, the administration’s actions risk undermining the role of experienced journalists in providing crucial information to the public about the highest office in the nation.
Daniels emphasized the importance of asking challenging questions and providing unbiased coverage. He expressed concern that a White House seeking favorable treatment through softball questions ultimately harms the American public. While administration officials have not officially addressed any potential changes to seating arrangements, Leavitt criticized the press corps in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, suggesting that true journalists are scarce and accusing mainstream media of displaying liberal bias against the president. However, seasoned reporters believe their main objective is simply to inquire and seek information. Stay updated with CNN news and newsletters by signing up at CNN.com.
