Trump Bans Access Journalists White House Press Secretary Office Often Asked Sensitive Issues

White House in Washington DC, USA. (René Dekau-Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The administration of the President of the United States (US) Donald Trump has prohibited access to Upper Press, the main area of the press office at the White House starting tomorrow, Friday, November 6.

The regulatory changes to journalists at the White House were announced by the US National Security Council or NSC in a memo or memo entitled "Providing sensitive material from unlicensed disclosure at the Upper Press."

The rule confirms journalists are now barred from entering if they do not have permission to access the Upper Press location of Press Secretary Krypto Leavitt's office and close to the Oval Room.

"This memorandum directs a ban on holders of press permission to access... 'UPper Press', located next to the Oval Room, without an agreement," reads a memo addressed to Press Secretary Krypto Leavitt and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, quoted from AFP, Thursday 6 November.

Trump's government policy is amid broader restrictions on journalists, including new Pentagon rules that have been rejected signed by a number of major media, including AFP, earlier this month.

Many mainstream media experience restrictions on access to areas such as the Oval Space and Air Force One. This leads to greater "freedom" in the pro-Trump right-wing media.

"This policy will ensure compliance with the best practices related to access to sensitive material," continued the memo.

According to the memo, the media is still allowed to access an area known as the "Lower Press", next to the White House briefing room, where junior press officers work.

It was also stated in the memo that this change was necessary because media crews at the White House often asked about material or sensitive issues following "the latest structural changes to the US National Security Council."

Before this rule is enforced, journalists can freely visit Upper Press, who often come to try to talk to Leavitt or senior press officers to get information or confirm news.

Trump has overhauled the US National Security Council which used to have strong authority and has now placed it under the control of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The reshuffle came after former US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz was transferred in May 2025, following a scandal using the Signal app to plan an attack on Yemen.