WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings


What happened
The White House Correspondents' Association Monday strongly objected to the Trump administration's reported plans to take control over which journalist sits where during White House press briefings. The WHCA has determined the seating chart for news organizations in the briefing room for decades.
Who said what
The WHCA board said Monday that the White House wanted "control of the briefing room" to "exert pressure on journalists over coverage they disagree with." The Trump administration should "abandon this wrongheaded effort" and show they are not "afraid to explain their policies and field questions from an independent media free from government control," the board said.
Some members of the White House press corps had been "looking for ways to de-escalate" tensions with Trump, said Axios. The WHCA agreed in February to "cede control of the White House press pool" and on Saturday "canceled comedian Amber Ruffin's planned performance" at the association's upcoming annual gala after the Trump administration complained, Politico said.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
The usurpation of seating assignments would "amount to another encroachment" by Trump's team into the "day-to-day procedures of the journalists who cover them," The New York Times said. A White House official told Axios the goal wasn't "merely favorable coverage" but also to reflect "how media is consumed today," giving more prominence to "influencers" and digital media.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
How to ditch ‘buy now, pay later’ debt
the explainer Recent changes mean BNPL will soon affect your credit score
-
Why Trump is so focused on getting a Nobel Peace Prize
The Explainer A recent poll found that a quarter of Americans say Trump doesn’t deserve the award
-
Enjoy the scenery on these 7 colorful fall road trips
The Week Recommends 'Tis the season for autumn foliage
-
Why Trump is so focused on getting a Nobel Peace Prize
The Explainer A recent poll found that a quarter of Americans say Trump doesn’t deserve the award
-
Trump declares new tariffs on drugs, trucks, furniture
Speed Read He's putting tariffs of 25% on semi trucks, 30% on upholstered furniture, 50% on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and 100% on certain drugs
-
Amazon reaches ‘historic’ $2.5B Prime settlement
speed read The company allegedly tricked customers into signing up for Prime membership that was then difficult to cancel
-
Trump DOJ indicts Comey, longtime Trump target
Speed Read The president is using the Justice Department to prosecute his political enemies
-
Trump’s plan for a government shutdown: mass firings
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As lawmakers scramble to avoid a shutdown, the White House is making plans for widespread layoffs that could lead to a permanent federal downsizing
-
Gunman kills 1 detainee, wounds 2 at ICE facility
Speed Read A sniper shot three detainees at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office before fatally shooting himself
-
Trump DOJ reportedly rushing to indict Comey
Speed Read Former FBI Director James Comey oversaw the initial 2016 investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia
-
‘ExxonMobil made the right call’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day