The Trump administration came under criticism last month after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth unveiled new rules for reporters who cover the Pentagon.

Those same critics are likely to be upset again after the White House locked down an area close to the Oval Office. 

Reporters to be barred from "Upper Press"

According to The Hill, a memo released on Friday explained that journalists will be barred from "Upper Press," which is where the White House communications director's office is located.

"As a result of recent structural changes to the National Security Council, the White House is now responsible for directing all communications, including on all national security matters," The Hill quoted it as saying.

"In this capacity, members of the White House Communications Staff are routinely engaging with sensitive material," the document asserted.

"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," it went on to add.

White House official says journalists have taken "pictures of sensitive info"

The Hill noted how this past week's policy change was defended in a social media post put out by White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung.

"Some reporters have been caught secretly recording video and audio of our offices, along with pictures of sensitive info, without permission," Cheung complained.

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 stressed.

Bill Clinton imposed similar restrictions

Politico pointed out how restricting the movement of reporters at the White House is far from being unprecedented, as former President Bill Clinton imposed similar rules shortly after taking office.

The website observed that for his part, President Donald Trump has put forward the idea that journalists could be excluded from the Executive mansion altogether.

"We have an option here," the president said during a cabinet meeting last month. "We can move the press easily across the street."