Trump Administration Moves to Revoke Security Clearances of Critical Journalists
In 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to review and revoke the security clearances of journalists at major outlets including the Washington Post and New York Times, and directed federal agencies to end advertising contracts with news organizations deemed hostile — steps press freedom organizations called unprecedented government pressure on the press.
In early 2025, the Trump White House announced it was reviewing the press credentials and security clearances of journalists from outlets it characterized as hostile, including the Washington Post, New York Times, and CNN. The administration also directed federal agencies and the U.S. Agency for Global Media to cancel advertising contracts with mainstream news organizations, and the FCC opened investigations into the broadcast licenses of network affiliates following public criticism by the President. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced a rotation system replacing the traditional White House Correspondents' Association pool with outlets selected by the administration. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed amicus briefs in related litigation, arguing the measures constituted unconstitutional viewpoint-based government action against journalism. Several news organizations formed coalitions to challenge the credential and access restrictions in federal court.