The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, from the first press laws to today

Incident

White House closes 'Upper Press' section of West Wing to reporters

United StatesRSF 2026 rank: 64th of 180

Engraving of an empty press briefing room with a lectern and rows of chairs

The White House began requiring reporters to make appointments before entering the 'Upper Press' area of the West Wing, home to the press secretary's and senior press aides' offices, citing a need to protect sensitive material after accusing reporters of secretly recording conversations there.123

What happened

On October 31, 2025, the White House announced that the 'Upper Press' section of the West Wing, which houses the offices of the press secretary and senior press aides, would require reporters to have a prior appointment before entering, while the 'Lower Press' office next to the briefing room remained open. A White House memorandum said the change would ensure adherence to best practices for access to sensitive material. Communications Director Steven Cheung said reporters had surreptitiously recorded video and audio in West Wing offices, entered restricted areas and listened in on private meetings. White House Correspondents' Association president Weijia Jiang said the new restrictions would hinder the press corps' ability to question officials and hold the government accountable.123

What reason was given

Stated justification

The White House said the policy would "ensure adherence to best practices pertaining to access to sensitive material," and Communications Director Steven Cheung said reporters had recorded video and audio without permission and entered restricted areas.12

What changed for reporting

Reporters lost the informal, walk-in access to senior press aides' offices that had allowed them to ask quick follow-up questions and observe the press operation at close range, a practice long used to gather information outside formal briefings.3

Timeline

2025

31 October 2025
White House closes 'Upper Press' section of West Wing to reporters

Who acted

NameRole in this incidentOffice at the time
Donald TrumpotherPresident of the United States
Karoline LeavittenforcedWhite House Press Secretary
Steven CheungannouncedWhite House Communications Director
White House Press OfficeenforcedOffice of the White House Press Secretary

Sources

  1. White House restricts reporter access to press secretary, staff's officesU.S. Press Freedom Tracker, 2025-10-31, reporting. Source record

Claims and evidence

Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.

  1. A White House memo said the new access rule would ensure best practices for handling sensitive material.This policy will ensure adherence to best practices pertaining to access to sensitive material.White House restricts reporter access to press secretary, staff's offices, U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, 2025-10-31.Claim 389, checked 2026-09-22.
  2. Communications Director Steven Cheung said reporters had secretly recorded and entered restricted areas of the West Wing.surreptitiously recorded video and audio of the West Wing offices, entered restricted areas and eavesdropped on private meetings.White House restricts reporter access to press secretary, staff's offices, U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, 2025-10-31.Claim 390, checked 2026-09-22.
  3. The WHCA president said the new restrictions would hinder reporters' ability to question officials and hold government accountable.The new restrictions hinder the press corps' ability to question officials, ensure transparency, and hold the government accountableWhite House restricts reporter access to press secretary, staff's offices, U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, 2025-10-31.Claim 391, checked 2026-09-22.