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White House journalists consider briefing room ‘sit-in’ protest: Report

The Trump White House, under the direction of Karoline Leavitt, intends to take over the seating assignments in the press briefing room, a task historically managed by the independent White House Correspondents' Association .
This plan follows Trump's return to office in January and a pattern of critical actions against the WHCA, including banning The Associated Press from press events in February and shifting the organization of the press pool.
The reported changes, first revealed by Axios on Sunday morning and confirmed by a senior White House official, are viewed by some Trump allies as a way to constrict mainstream media and elevate pro-Trump outlets, potentially leading to a 'tug-of-war' with the WHCA.
WHCA President Eugene Daniels did not comment, but former press secretary Sean Spicer endorsed the plan, while Jonathan Karl, a former president of the association, stated, "we will challenge any effort to pick and choose what outlets are there or the manner in which they are in there."
The White House's actions, including inviting hyperpartisan websites and low-rated TV networks into the press pool and promoting right-wing podcasters, suggest an effort to disrupt established media norms and influence coverage to support the administration's agenda, though the specific details of the seating changes remain unknown.

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Straight Arrow News

Center

White House journalists consider briefing room ‘sit-in’ protest: Report

Journalists at the White House are considering a sit-in protest in response to proposed changes in the press briefing room seating arrangement, which the Trump administration wants to adjust based on media consumption metrics. The White House Communications Director responded dismissively to the potential protest, while Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the briefing room belongs to the public. The White House Correspondents' Assoc…

2 days ago

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WND

Far Right

'Toddlers throwing a tantrum': White House reporters can't stomach Trump's changes for media * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh

The White House press corps attends a news briefing by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 Elite reporters who have the privilege of attending White House news briefings actually considered an old-fashioned “sit-in” to try to keep their privileged seats amid a revolution in reporting. For decades, writers for networks, legacy wire services, newspapers and the like have had privileged seats in the White House briefing room,…

2 days ago·Medford, United States

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The New York Sun

Right

White House Correspondents' Association Edges Toward Irrelevance in Trump's Second Term

The press corps threatens a ‘sit-in’ protest, in which members would return to their old seats and refuse to leave them.

2 days ago·New York, United States

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The Seattle Times

Lean Left

White House may remake reporters seating chart, escalating tensions

The Trump administration said it might take over the seating chart for the press briefing room, something that for decades has been handled by a press association.

3 days ago·Seattle, United States

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Poynter

Center

The latest White House-press corps kerfuffle is over who sits where — and a whole lot more

Take your seat. The question now is — where, exactly, is that seat? Those in the White House press corps might soon be asking that question. In Monday’s newsletter, I […] The post The latest White House-press corps kerfuffle is over who sits where — and a whole lot more appeared first on Poynter.

3 days ago

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