White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the Trump administration’s approach to media access, arguing that President Donald Trump remains more available to the press than former President Joe Biden. Speaking at an event hosted by Mike Allen, she said the administration is not restricting journalists but instead expanding opportunities for a wider range of media outlets.

Leavitt emphasized that the White House is increasing access for digital platforms, independent reporters, and smaller organizations. She argued that no single outlet should permanently control the limited positions in the 13-person press pool that regularly covers the president. According to her, the goal is to diversify coverage rather than limit it.

Mike Allen raised concerns about changes to the traditional press pool system, warning that reducing the role of major wire services could affect historical documentation. He referenced the well-known Associated Press photograph taken after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, suggesting that limiting established outlets might risk losing important historical records.

Leavitt rejected the claim that access was being restricted and said major outlets continue to receive opportunities, even when they are critical of the administration. She also stated that the White House Correspondents’ Association should not have exclusive authority over which journalists gain access to spaces like the Oval Office or Air Force One, reinforcing the administration’s push for broader selection criteria.

The discussion also highlighted comparisons with the Biden administration’s media engagement. According to Axios reporting cited in the discussion, Biden held 164 media engagements at a similar stage of his presidency, while Trump held 468. The report also noted that former presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan had more press appearances than Biden during comparable periods, underscoring Leavitt’s argument about differences in presidential accessibility.