The White House issued a new rule on Friday requiring credentialed journalists to schedule appointments before accessing Room 140, known as “Upper Press,” in the West Wing. The change is effective immediately and is intended to safeguard sensitive materials handled by communications staff as structural changes take place at the National Security Council (NSC).
The White House’s new restriction on journalist access is a considerable change to press operations in the West Wing.
The Oct. 31 memorandum comes from the National Security Council and prohibits credentialed journalists from going into Room 140, commonly known as “Upper Press,” without a prescheduled appointment.
Room 140 is located near the Oval Office, and has historically been a place for interactions between reporters and key communications personnel, such as press secretary Karoline Leavitt and her deputy, Steven Cheung….