A fight over an inside-the-Beltway media tradition has become emblematic of a bigger battle between the Trump administration and the press.

At issue is the makeup of the White House press pool, the rotating group of journalists who cover the president on occasions when it is impractical or impossible to have the full press corps in attendance.

The pool is overseen by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) — at least until this week.

On Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared the administration would now “determine” who would comprise the pool. Leavitt contended that the WHCA wrongfully holds a “monopoly over the privilege of press access.”

Leavitt also characterized the shift as being intended to reflect “the media habits of the American people in 2025, not 1925” and claimed “the White House will restore power to the American people who President Trump was elected to serve.”

The WHCA and advocates for press freedom see things very differently.

They contend the switch is an ominous effort to bring media coverage of Trump under his control, elevating outlets that are sympathetic and sidelining those that take a more objective approach.

The issue is larger than the topic of the press pool — a subject of limited interest to the general public, many of whom are unaware of its existence. Instead, critics worry about what they see as a MAGA World desire to hollow out media independence.

WHCA President Eugene Daniels said the administration’s move “tears at the independence of a free........

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