White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cast the change as a modernization of the press pool, saying the move would restore “access back to the American people” who elected Trump.

In announcing plans to handpick the reporters who can ask the president questions, the White House is breaking decades of precedent.

The White House is revoking the press corps' authority to select the daily rotation of reporters assigned to follow the president, escalating President Donald Trump’s war with the journalists covering his administration.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the changes would rotate traditional outlets from the group and include some streaming services.