President Trump has discussed moving the White House press corps out of the West Wing to a nearby building, according to people familiar with the matter. The proposal would relocate journalists from their workspace inside the White House building, where they have been for more than a century, to another facility such as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building or an unspecified nearby site. White House communications director Steven Cheung stated that all options remain on the table and that an announcement will be made when appropriate, though a senior official told the Wall Street Journal the president has no plans to relocate the corps.
The move follows a series of disputes between the administration and various news organizations. Last month, the administration attempted to block reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House complex, though a federal judge later reinstated their access. Additionally, the White House previously prevented the Associated Press from accessing the Oval Office after the wire service declined to use the president's preferred term, "Gulf of America," to describe the Gulf of Mexico.
Supporters of the relocation, including former strategist Steve Bannon, have reportedly advocated for the change. In 2017, administration officials suggested that moving briefings to a larger venue would broaden access for more journalists. However, the president has also shared images on social media suggesting the current press briefing room could be restored to its previous function as an indoor swimming pool, a feature that was covered over during the Nixon administration.
The proposed relocation would affect journalists from major news organizations who currently maintain daily physical proximity to the president’s staff in the West Wing. The press corps includes representatives from television networks, wire services, and newspapers who rely on this workspace to attend briefings and conduct reporting. If moved, they would lose immediate access to the building where the president and senior advisers work.
Reporters from news organizations like the Associated Press, CNN, and CBS News utilize these facilities. A relocation would likely mean that instead of working steps away from the Oval Office, reporters would be stationed in a separate annex or building. This follows a recent change at the Pentagon where the military announced it would stop allowing reporters to enter the building unescorted and establish a workspace in an annex facility. The White House press access disputes have already led to legal challenges, including a federal court ruling that found the administration’s temporary ban on certain outlets likely violated the First Amendment and due process rights.
The specific timing of a final decision remains unknown, as no formal orders have been issued. However, the president reportedly raised the matter as recently as August 2026. The administration is appealing the court order that forced the restoration of press credentials for several outlets. Journalists and legal experts are watching for an official announcement from the White House or further rulings from federal judges regarding the constitutional limits of restricting media access to government facilities.