Dozens of Reporters May Be Moved From White House Press Room

The White House press corps may soon face a major change in its operating location.

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to suggest that the dozens of journalists stationed in the executive residence could be moved. He described the potential new site as a less obnoxious location. In the same post, he addressed speculation regarding the physical structure of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. He rejected reports that he planned to remove the room entirely. He called those accounts fake news. He emphasized that he had never considered such a move. The president noted that the idea of restoring a historic pool beneath the floor was not a primary goal of his administration. This clarification comes as the administration navigates a tense period with the media. The number of reporters currently affected by the potential move remains in the dozens.

Former press secretary Karoline Leavitt provided additional context during a Friday interview. She stated that the president was flirting with the idea of restoring the pool. She appeared on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher to discuss the matter. Leavitt said the president might want to restore the pool to all of its glory. She added that she did not know if he would actually execute the plan. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Trump had pitched Leavitt on moving journalists out of the briefing room. According to that report, the idea did not advance during her tenure. Her time in the role ended on August 27. The pool in question was built in 1933 for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He used it to ease soreness from polio. In the 1970s, Richard Nixon built a floor over the pool to accommodate the growing press corps. The pool remains beneath that floor today.

The potential relocation arrives amid ongoing friction between the president and the media. Last month, Trump barred journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House. Free speech proponents argued this move violated First Amendment protections. A US federal judge ruled the order was likely unconstitutional. The White House was forced to restore the journalists' access. The administration continues to fight that ruling. Trump regularly criticizes media members for unfair coverage. At an Oval Office event on Tuesday, he lashed out at Andrew Feinberg of The Independent. Feinberg was attempting to ask a question. Trump asked what was wrong with him and if he was a sick person. The White House amplified the moment on social media.

Any alteration to the briefing room would join a list of controversial projects on the White House property. These changes have occurred since Trump returned to power last year. The administration has demolished the East Wing to build a new ballroom. It has placed concrete pavers over the lawn at the center of the Rose Garden. It has also built a helipad on the South Lawn. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the latest developments.