The White House is restricting journalist access to senior communications offices without an appointment, citing national security concerns.
The White House announced on Friday that journalists would no longer be authorized to freely access an area of the West Wing that is home to offices for various senior communications officials, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
In a memorandum, the National Security Council said journalists are prohibited from accessing Room 140, also known as “Upper Press,” which is located near the Oval Office, without an appointment, claiming that the move is needed to shield potentially sensitive materials and protect national security.
“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 in the form of an appointment with an authorized White House Staff Member,” the memo said.