White House tightens press badge restrictions, threatens to ban journalists who don't 'act in a professional manner'

On Friday, the White House press office announced tighter press badge restrictions, including requiring journalists who currently have badges to reapply by July 31. The new rules would also empower the administration to boot reporters who refuse to "act in a professional manner."

Press badges have been renewed automatically since 2017. However, moving forward, reporters are required to submit a letter proving their "full-time employment with an organization whose principal business is news dissemination."

Freelance journalists wishing to gain access to the briefing room and presidential events must submit "letters from two news organizations describing your affiliation, or, if you freelance primarily for one organization, a letter from that organization describing the extent and duration of your relationship with the organization."

The notice also stated that journalists' letters need to provide their professional or personal Washington, D.C., addresses and a statement saying they have "accessed the White House campus at least once during the prior six months for work, or have proof of employment within the last three months to cover the White House."

Reporters must also agree to "submit to any necessary investigation by the U.S. Secret Service to determine eligibility for access to the White House complex, where Secret Service will determine eligibility based on whether the applicant presents a potential risk to the safety or security of the President, the Vice President, or the White House complex."

The notice added that journalists who fail to "act in a professional manner" could have their press badges revoked.

The administration's new guidance stated, "The White House expects that all hard pass holders will act in a professional manner while on White House grounds by respecting their colleagues, White House employees, and guests; observing stated restrictions on access to areas of the White House or credentialed events; and not impeding events or briefings on campus. Absent security concerns involving the United States Secret Service or other exigent circumstances, the White House will provide a written warning to you if your conduct violates these expectations. Subsequent violations may lead to the suspension or revocation of your hard pass, following notice and an opportunity to respond."

The administration announced the rule changes following recent outbursts from reporters. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sparred several times with Today News Africa journalist Simon Ateba.

In March, Ateba torched Jean-Pierre for "making a mockery of the First Amendment," accusing the press secretary of discriminating against certain reporters after she had not taken questions from Ateba in seven months.

Jean-Pierre scolded the Daily Caller News Foundation's White House correspondent Diana Glebova in November for shouting a question to Dr. Anthony Fauci regarding whether he had investigated the origins of COVID. Ateba jumped to Glebova's defense, demanding the press secretary call on reporters from "across the room."

"I hear the question ... but we're not doing this the way you want it. ... I'm done. Simon, I'm done with you right now," Jean-Pierre snapped back at the reporters.

Ateba also previously slammed former press secretary Jen Psaki for failing to "take questions from across the room."

According to Ateba, the administration announced the new rule changes because of his "presence" in the briefing room.

He told the Daily Caller News Foundation, "While I don't feel upset that the White House is making changes due to my presence, it is ironic that these modifications come shortly after President Biden declared that journalism is not a crime on World Press Freedom Day. It appears that if you excel at your job, both the [White House Communications Agency] and the White House may work together to target you. This situation exacerbates the public's lack of trust in the media and politicians in Washington."

A White House official told the New York Post that the policy changes had been "thoughtfully considered for more than a year."

"We worked hard to be responsive to needs and feedback of journalists covering the White House," the official stated. "As we return to these prior criteria, which help ensure hard passes are in the hands of reporters who need regular access to campus as part of their duties, we are providing a nearly 3-month window for reporters to turn in their applications and reach out with any questions. The criteria will apply evenly to everyone."

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