President Donald Trump has long been known for having a highly contentious relationship with many members of the mainstream media.

That relationship seems unlikely to improve after his administration threw reporters out of what it deemed to be a sensitive area of the White House. 

Memo highlights security risks

The Daily Caller reported this past weekend that journalists will no longer be permitted in "Upper Press," which is located near the Oval Office in Room 140.

That decision came after a memo was sent on Friday by the National Security Council (NSC) to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

According to The Hill, it observed that "White House Communications Staff are routinely engaging with sensitive material."

The document argued that new restrictions are needed "to protect such material, and maintain coordination between National Security Council Staff and White House Communications Staff."

Cheung alleges that journalists have taken "pictures of sensitive info"

Cheung was quick to defend the change in a social media post, writing, "Some reporters have been caught secretly recording video and audio of our offices, along with pictures of sensitive info, without permission."

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

"Cabinet Secretaries routinely come into our office for private meetings, only to be ambushed by reporters waiting outside our doors," he pointed out.

"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," the White House official went on to stress.

Trump suggested barring reporters from the White House altogether

That reasoning didn't satisfy News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang in a statement, who serves as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).

"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," Jiang said in a statement posted to social media.

The Daily Caller noted that the Trump administration is not unique in limiting access by press members, as former President Bill Clinton took similar measures upon taking office.

Meanwhile, Politico reported that the president suggested that reporters could be barred from the White House altogether during a Cabinet meeting last month.