White House Cracks Down on Journalists Sneaking Around West Wing Communications Offices
In its latest effort to stem media leaks, the Trump administration has barred White House reporters from entering the inner offices of senior communications officials in the West Wing, citing the need to safeguard national security secrets.
On Friday evening, the National Security Council (NSC) distributed a memo to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, noting that journalists can no longer roam freely into these spaces, known as “Upper Press,” mere steps from the Oval Office.
Additionally, the White House communications team has assumed responsibility for NSC messaging following a recent “structural change,” according to the memo.
The memo notes that reporters can continue to speak with more junior press aides outside the White House Briefing Room.
In a memorandum, the National Security Council said journalists are prohibited from accessing Room 140, also known as “Upper Press,” which is located near the Oval Office, without an appointment, claiming that the move is needed to shield potentially sensitive materials and protect national security.
“In order to protect such material, and maintain coordination between National Security Council Staff and White House Communications Staff, members of the press are no longer permitted to access Room 140 without prior approval in the form of an appointment with an authorized White House Staff Member,” the memo said.
Director Cheung shared on X, “Some reporters have been caught secretly recording video and audio of our offices, along with pictures of sensitive info, without permission.”
“Some reporters have wandered into restricted areas (our offices are feet away from the Oval Office).”
“Some reporters have been caught eavesdropping on private, closed-door meetings.”
“Cabinet Secretaries routinely come into our office for private meetings, only to be ambushed by reporters waiting outside our doors.”
“Press still has access to lower press where the press team sits and can answer all inquiries.”
“Reporters can make appointments to see us in our offices.”
Some reporters have been caught secretly recording video and audio of our offices, along with pictures of sensitive info, without permission
Some reporters have wandered into restricted areas (our offices are feet away from the Oval Office)
Some reporters have been caught… https://t.co/tosUqrcKGt
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) October 31, 2025
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly noted reporters were caught lurking near the Press Secretary’s office with their ears pressed to the door.
“We’ve caught reporters with their ear to @PressSec’s door while she was having sensitive conversations with Cabinet members,” Kelly noted on X.
“We’ve had to chase reporters down who started strolling into restricted areas towards the Oval.”
“Total absence of boundaries.”
We’ve caught reporters with their ear to @PressSec’s door while she was having sensitive conversations with Cabinet members.
We’ve had to chase reporters down who started strolling into restricted areas towards the Oval.
Total absence of boundaries. https://t.co/LgWTWI9Wiz
— Anna Kelly (@AnnaKelly47) November 1, 2025
The White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang said in a statement, “The White House Correspondents’ Association unequivocally opposes any effort to limit journalists from areas within the communications operations of the White House that have long been open for newsgathering, including the press secretary’s office.
“The new restrictions hinder the press corps’ ability to question officials, ensure transparency, and hold the government accountable, to the detriment of the American public.”
Statement on New Restriction on Journalists at White House. pic.twitter.com/rE7F4Ou1hh
— WHCA (@whca) October 31, 2025
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