The incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering changes to the White House daily press briefing room to provide access to newer outlets that align more closely with Trump’s agenda. Two media executives from unnamed MAGA-aligned outlets told Axios they plan to apply for credentials to attend the press briefings, which have historically been dominated by mainstream media companies and wire services.
During Trump’s first administration, efforts were made to limit off-camera press briefings for outlets perceived as critical, including CNN, Politico, BBC, and The New York Times. More recently, his campaign blocked several reporters from attending its election watch party at Mar-a-Lago, including those from Axios, Politico, and Puck News, according to Newsmax.
The James Brady Press Briefing Room seats 49 reporters, and efforts to prioritize pro-Trump outlets for press briefings could push out existing outlets. While the White House is responsible for granting press credentials, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) controls seating arrangements. This means that even if an outlet is credentialed, there may not be a seat available in the briefing room.
In 2020, the WHCA removed the conservative One America News Network (OANN) from the briefing rotation for failing to comply with the association’s COVID-19 protocols. Meanwhile, a mix of names is vying to be Trump’s press secretary, including his national press secretary Karoline Leavitt, adviser and attorney Alina Habba, and former Trump administration official Monica Crowley, according to Axios.
Meanwhile, a “collective sense of dread” has reportedly emerged among Department of Justice attorneys as former President Donald Trump prepares to reclaim the White House. With the inauguration scheduled for January 20, many DOJ lawyers are bracing for the return of a president who regularly targeted the agency and its staff during his campaign, but only after the Biden-Harris DOJ targeted him for more than a year in his “Jan. 6 election interference” and classified documents cases.
Insiders told Politico that some career attorneys are already contemplating leaving the DOJ to avoid potential firings, demotions, or intense scrutiny. Trump, known for his criticism of the so-called “deep state,” frequently singled out the DOJ during his first term and has continued to target the agency on the campaign trail after he became the first ex-president to be indicted by federal prosecutors. He and his allies have hinted at major reforms if he returns to office, fueling concerns among DOJ personnel.
One primary target of Trump’s criticism is Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led investigations into Trump-related cases, including charges that the former president has described as politically motivated. “Everyone I’ve talked to, mostly lawyers, are losing their minds,” a DOJ attorney told Politico, speaking on condition of anonymity to openly discuss colleagues and dodge retaliation from the incoming president’s circle. “The fear is that career leadership and career employees everywhere are either going to leave or they’re going to be driven out.”
