‘Deeply concerning’: New White House press move sparks backlash

A new White House order giving the Trump administration the power to determine which media outlets cover the president sent chills through the White House Correspondents' Association, which strongly condemned the action Tuesday.

The new order announced by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the White House press pool would now be determined by Trump's press team.

“Legacy outlets who have participated in the press pool for decades will still be allowed to join – but we will also be offering the privilege to well-deserving outlets who have never been allowed to share in this awesome responsibility,” Leavitt said Tuesday.

She portrayed the move as a form of “giving the power back to the people.” But the D.C.-based correspondents’ association didn't agree.

“This is an important and deeply concerning break from a century of practice designed to serve the American people with journalistic independence from the government,” NBC News White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell wrote on X. “I believe in the WHCA. Show your support for a free press.”

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O’Donnell’s remarks echoed the organization’s president’s, who also denounced the move in a forceful pushback Tuesday.

“This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States,” Politico’s Eugene Daniels said in a statement. “It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps.”

He added that the White House gave no “heads up” to the organization’s board or engage in any discussions about the announcement.

“But the WHCA will never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency and the right of the American public to read, listen to and watch reports from the White House, delivered without fear or favor,” he said.