White House to take over press pool amid 'Gulf of America' fight with AP
The White House said Tuesday that it would take over which outlets are allowed into the press pool covering the president, wresting such control from the White House Correspondents' Association.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said moving forward, the White House press pool, a small group of reporters that travels with and cover the president's daily activities, will now be determined by administration officials. Traditionally, the press pool is coordinated by the Correspondents' Association, which White House officials across multiple administrations have traditionally given deference to.
"It's beyond time the White House press pool reflects the media habits of the American people in 2025," Leavitt said during a briefing with reporters.
The goal, Leavitt said, is to give new or alternative media companies greater access to the administration while still keeping certain "legacy" outlets in the rotation.
Leavitt's announcement comes as the White House continues to bar The Associated Press from access to President Trump in the Oval Office, on Air Force One, and in other spaces where typically only the pool gathers, due to lack to space.
The barring came in response to the news organization indicated it would not change its influential stylebook to reflect Trump's renaming of the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America."
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Monday declined to restore The Associated Press’s access to certain spaces open to the media at the White House, saying AP failed to show a likelihood of success on the merits and emphasized that additional briefing on the matter is necessary “given the stakes” for both parties. The judge set an expedited schedule and ordered arguments on a preliminary injunction for March 20.
Leavitt celebrated the judge's ruling Tuesday and said the White House wants “more outlets and new outlets to cover the press pool.”
Legacy outlets such as The New York Times and wire services will still be allowed to join the pool, she said, but the White House would work to make sure “well-deserving outlets who have never been allowed to share in this awesome responsibility.”
Eugene Daniels, the president of the White House Correspondents' Association, did not immediately return a request seeking comment.
Topics
-
Judge declines to restore AP access to White House amid 'Gulf of America' dispute
A federal judge on Monday declined to restore The Associated Press’s access to certain spaces open to the media at the White House, including the Oval Office amid the Trump administration’s battle ...The Hill - 23h -
White House press secretary announces changes to press pool
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that the administration will now determine which media outlets will be in the White House press pool. The White House Correspondents' ...NBC News - 1h -
AP sues over White House access restrictions
The Associated Press sued White House officials Friday for restricting the wire service’s access to the Oval Office and Air Force One over its refusal to use “Gulf of America” in its AP Stylebook. ...The Hill - 4d -
White House holds press briefing
Watch live coverage as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing.NBC News - 9h -
Watch live: Trump, Macron hold White House press conference
President Trump hosts French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, the first visit by a European leader to the White House since Trump returned. They started their day by taking part in a virtual ...The Hill - 1d -
Why the Associated Press is suing Trump White House officials
The Associated Press is suing several top White House officials over access to some Trump administration events. This comes after the AP lost some coverage access surrounding its choices on the ...CBS News - 1d -
White House pressed on email to federal employees, DOGE leadership
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was pressed for more information on the email sent to federal employees that Elon Musk has been touting on social media. Leavitt was also hesitant to ...CBS News - 1h -
Fox News, CNN and Other Outlets Urge White House to Drop AP Ban
Dozens of major news organizations, including some conservative outlets, urged the Trump administration to stop blocking The Associated Press from press events.The New York Times - 5d -
White House press secretary suggests Russia-Ukraine conflict could end 'this week'
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday the president is confident in his ability to strike a deal with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting an end to the ...The Hill - 2d
More from The Hill
-
Utah on the verge of being the first state to ban fluoride in public water
Utah is on the verge of becoming the first state to prohibit cities and towns from adding fluoride to their public water supply. The Utah Senate on Friday voted 18-8 to give final approval to ...The Hill - 38m -
Trump directs investigation preceding potential copper tariffs
President Trump on Tuesday directed his Commerce secretary to investigate the need for possible tariffs on copper, the latest industry to potentially be targeted by Trump’s sweeping trade agenda. ...The Hill - 45m -
Senate Democrats press Trump's FTC commissioner nominee over agency independence
Multiple Senate Democrats on the Commerce, Science and Transportation on Tuesday pressed President Trump's Federal Trade Commissioner nominee, Mark Meador, over the independence of the agency amid ...The Hill - 58m -
White House names interim DOGE administrator
The White House on Tuesday disclosed that the interim administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is Amy Gleason after repeated questioning from reporters. A White House ...The Hill - 1h -
Whitmer on Republican lawmaker's same-sex marriage resolution: 'Hell no'
Michigan Democrats, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, are pushing back against a Republican-led resolution asking the Supreme Court to reverse its decision that legalized same-sex marriage ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
Fired federal workers told their termination is in the government's 'best interest'
NBC News White House Correspondent Vaughn Hillyard joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss the latest reaction among federal workers to the government layoffs as widespread uncertainty continues to loom.NBC News - 25m -
Rep. Spartz says she will vote no on GOP budget resolution if ‘language doesn’t change’
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) explains why she plans to vote no on Speaker Mike Johnson’s budget resolution. Rep. Spartz also weighed in on whether Congress will be able to fund the government as ...NBC News - 32m -
Utah on the verge of being the first state to ban fluoride in public water
Utah is on the verge of becoming the first state to prohibit cities and towns from adding fluoride to their public water supply. The Utah Senate on Friday voted 18-8 to give final approval to ...The Hill - 38m -
Trump directs investigation preceding potential copper tariffs
President Trump on Tuesday directed his Commerce secretary to investigate the need for possible tariffs on copper, the latest industry to potentially be targeted by Trump’s sweeping trade agenda. ...The Hill - 45m -
Senate Democrats press Trump's FTC commissioner nominee over agency independence
Multiple Senate Democrats on the Commerce, Science and Transportation on Tuesday pressed President Trump's Federal Trade Commissioner nominee, Mark Meador, over the independence of the agency amid ...The Hill - 58m