The White House on Tuesday announced that it's taking control of which news outlets are allowed into the press pool, and will no longer allow the White House Correspondents' Association to act as gatekeepers. The move paves the way for independent outlets to participate in the press pool - a small group of reporters that travel with and cover the president's daily activities.

"It’s beyond time the White House press pool reflects the media habits of the American people in 2025," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who added that the goal is to give new or alternative media companies greater access to the administration, while continuing to allow certain "legacy" outlets to be in rotation.

"Legacy outlets who have participated in the press pool for decades will still be allowed to join ... but we will also be offering the privilege to well-deserving outlets, who have never been allowed to share in this awesome responsibility," she said.

The move comes after a federal judge denied a request by the Associated Press (AP) to force the White House to allow it access to the Oval Office and Air Force One.

In fact, the judge - Trevor McFadden, slammed AP in his ruling - suggesting they have no constitutional right to "special media access."

"It feels a little odd that the White House is bound by certain decisions that this private organization is making," said McFadden.

According to Eugene Daniels, president of the WHCA and Politico reporter, slammed the move - telling Axios that it "suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president."

You mean like this?

According to the aggrieved Daniels, the move "tears at the independence of a free press in the United States," adding "In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps."

The NY Times was also triggered by the move - calling it "the latest in a string of aggressive efforts by the Trump administration to erode the access and influence of major news organizations that cover the White House."

Cry harder...

One White House adviser told Axios: "The AP and the White House Correspondents Association wanted to f--k around. Now it's finding out time."

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