Discussing the composition of the “press pool” that is chosen by the White House Correspondents’ Association, he questioned why the government was obligated to follow those choices, saying “it feels a little odd that the White House is somehow bound by the decisions this private organization is making.”.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration began barring the AP from the Oval Office, Air Force One and other areas — some of which have been open to the agency for a century as part of the White House press pool.
That’s extra-special access,” Hudak said, noting that AP journalists continue to access the White House and publish news from events, even when its journalists are not present in the room where they happen.
The AP filed suit Friday, naming three Trump officials – White House chief of staff Susan Wiles, deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich and press secretary Karoline Leavitt – as defendants.
Hudak said that just because an AP reporter and photographer had long held a place in the White House press pool didn't mean the agency was entitled to it in perpetuity.
