The White House Takes Control of the Press Pool
The White House made a significant announcement on Tuesday, revealing that it would now seize control of the press pool responsible for covering President Trump. This move marks a historic shift, as it is the first time in decades that an administration has asserted its authority to handpick which news organizations and reporters are allowed to cover the president in intimate settings like the Oval Office and Air Force One. The decision has sparked concerns about press freedom and the independence of journalism in the United States.
Eugene Daniels, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), swiftly responded on Wednesday night, condemning the move. The WHCA, which represents news organizations covering the president, announced that it would no longer distribute pool reports from the White House’s chosen correspondents. Daniels, who is also a reporter for Politico, emphasized that the WHCA would not support any attempt by the administration—or any future administration—to undermine the independence of the press. He argued that the White House’s action threatens the principles of a free press by allowing the government to select which journalists cover the president.
The Press Pool: A Historical Perspective
The White House press pool was established during President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s term to address a practical challenge: determining which of the hundreds of White House correspondents would be granted access to the president in restricted settings. The solution, developed through bipartisan cooperation between news organizations and presidential administrations, was the creation of a small group of correspondents, photographers, and camera crews who would serve as the eyes and ears of the broader press corps.
The composition of the pool has evolved over time but currently includes representatives from wire services, print and online media, radio, photography, and television. Historically, the WHCA, an independent organization founded in 1914, has been responsible for selecting which journalists rotate into the pool. This arrangement was designed to ensure that the White House could not favor “friendly” outlets or limit access to reporters who might ask tough questions. Once selected, the names of the pool members were shared with the White House, which would then handle the logistics of access.
The White House’s New Approach
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, announced that the Trump administration would now decide who joins the press pool, rather than leaving the selection to the WHCA. She framed the change as an opportunity to expand access to “well-deserving outlets” that have previously been excluded from the pool. However, this shift has raised eyebrows, as it allows the White House to handpick journalists who will relay the president’s activities to the public. The administration has already taken steps to limit the participation of major news organizations, such as kicking The Associated Press (AP) out of the pool for refusing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” The AP has also been barred from Air Force One.
In contrast, the White House has invited conservative outlets like Newsmax, The Blaze, and Axios to join the pool. This move has fueled concerns that the administration is prioritizing sympathetic media over independent journalism. The WHCA has made it clear that it will not cooperate with this effort, calling it an attack on press freedom.
The Role of Pool Reporters
Pool reporters play a critical role in documenting the president’s activities for the broader press corps. They provide detailed accounts of the president’s remarks, movements, and actions, which are then shared with other journalists. For example, in 2003, Washington Post reporter Mike Allen was part of the pool on Air Force One during President George W. Bush’s secret trip to Baghdad. His pool report captured the eerie details of the flight, from the plane’s unusual speed to the movie playing in the press cabin. Similarly, in 2023, Wall Street Journal reporter Sabrina Siddiqui traveled with President Joe Biden to Ukraine, providing updates on his meetings and travels despite security restrictions.
Pool reports also serve a practical purpose: ensuring that the public is informed about the president’s health and safety. A “protective pool” follows the president wherever he goes, even on golf outings or foreign trips. This arrangement has proven vital over the years, such as during President Ronald Reagan’s assassination attempt in 1981, when pool reporters were on the scene to provide real-time updates.
The White House’s Vision for the Press Pool
The White House has expressed a desire to expand the press pool to include podcasters, social media influencers, and other creators of “news-related content.” However, this shift has been criticized for favoring partisan figures sympathetic to the administration. For instance, the White House has granted access to figures like Sage Steele, a conservative podcast host, and Brian Glenn of the Right Side Broadcasting Network. Meanwhile, established news organizations like The AP and Reuters have been excluded from the pool.
The WHCA has long maintained that its membership is reserved for outlets committed to high-quality, fact-driven journalism. To join the pool, journalists must first obtain a Capitol Hill press credential, live in the Washington, D.C. area, and cover the White House full time. However, the cost of participating in the press pool is a significant barrier for smaller outlets. Traveling with the president can be expensive, with domestic trips costing thousands of dollars and overseas trips running into tens of thousands. These financial hurdles often limit participation to larger news organizations, which can afford to cover the expenses.
The Broader Implications
The White House’s decision to take control of the press pool has far-reaching implications for press freedom and the independence of journalism. By handpicking which reporters can cover the president, the administration is undermining a system that has long ensured equitable access to presidential events. This shift could lead to a press corps dominated by outlets sympathetic to the White House, creating an echo chamber that stifles critical reporting.
The WHCA’s refusal to cooperate with the administration’s plan highlights the ongoing tension between the White House and the press. While the administration frames its move as an effort to broaden access, critics argue that it amounts to an attempt to control the narrative and silence independent journalism. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the integrity of the press pool and the future of a free press in the United States hang in the balance.