Washington, D.C., Sept. 24 — A federal judge’s order to restore White House press credentials for three news outlets has been ignored, as MSNBC correspondent Laura Barron‑Lopez was denied entry on Thursday, mirroring recent turn‑aways of CNN and Politico journalists.
Update: 10:20am est.
A reporter for the online outlet MS NOW was turned away from the White House press entrance on Thursday, bringing the media outlet into a growing dispute over access that already includes correspondents from CNN and Politico.
Laura Barron‑Lopez, a senior reporter for the news outlet, said she arrived at the Press Briefing building, swiped her badge at the security checkpoint and watched the indicator turn red before being stopped by a uniformed security guard.
“I got as far as the press pass security hut, swiped my badge, and the light started flashing red,” Barron‑Lopez told reporters after the incident. “The guard told me I could not proceed and escorted me off the premises.”
Her experience mirrors that of a CNN reporter and a Politico correspondent, both of whom were denied entry his morning under the same circumstances.
MS NOW, CNN and Politico have scheduled a joint press conference for Thursday afternoon to discuss the broader implications of the White House’s security procedures on media freedom.
Remarks by Senator Jon Ossoff (D‑Ga.) that President Trump “travels with Natalie” has rekindled interest in the relationship between the president and his 35-year-old aide Natalie Harp. Known as the “human printer” for providing printouts of positive online stories about Donald Trump while he was in transit, Ms. Harp was once again in the news for an alleged altercation over her travel arrangements following the president’s recent court appearance in New York City.
According to a CNN report from October 24, 2023, Ms. Harp was brought to New York City to brief Trump in the days leading up to his court appearance. The news outlet reported that when the President’s motorcade arrived at the destination, the staff told Ms. Harp that there were no available seats for her in the front of the vehicle. Nevertheless, Ms. Harp insisted that she would only return with Mr. Trump because she had previously been requested by the President to accompany him to the courtroom. Following a “screaming match” with the President’s staff, Ms. Harp climbed into the trunk of one of the SUVs and arrived in New York City. In addition, CNN reported that it had received a photograph of Ms. Harp in the trunk of the vehicle, which has since been shared on several news websites.
The alleged incident in the trunk of the SUV is the latest development in the ongoing controversy surrounding Ms. Harp’s relationship with Mr. Trump. In September 2023, Politico reported that Ms. Harp has served as the President’s “gatekeeper,” providing him with printouts of online articles containing information that the president may find of interest. According to Politico , since her hiring, Natalie Harp has been responsible for screening news feeds and choosing which news items to print out for the President based on their perceived relevance. Similarly, The New York Times , in its March 2024 article about Trump’s staff, noted that Harp has been a “near-constant presence” at both the president’s rallies and court proceedings.
Although the White House did not respond directly to the allegations regarding the trunk incident, former Trump officials told Reuters that the president sometimes engaged in “unorthodox” behavior with his staff. According to the news outlet, the President’s staff members are generally willing to comply with his requests due to his status as a national leader.
Senator Ossoff’s remarks were made during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 15, 2024. Following his comments, several representatives laughed and discussed the extent to which staff members are permitted to travel with the President. However, as this story continues to gain traction in the national news, it is likely to raise additional questions about the potential risks and dangers facing Trump’s staff. From this standpoint, the “trunk controversy” may have significant implications for the White House.
Blue Press Journal (DC) – In a stunning display of disconnectedness, President Donald Trump delivered a meandering 10-minute pep talk to federal law enforcement officers in Washington D.C. on Thursday night, reneging on his promise to join them on patrol. Instead of walking the streets with law enforcement, Trump used the opportunity to tout his administration’s accomplishments and make outlandish claims about crime rates.
Despite evidence to the contrary, Trump asserted that crime numbers are “way down” in the nation’s capital. However, crime rates were already declining in D.C. prior to his administration, thanks in part to the efforts of his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. This fact has not been lost on the city’s residents, who are largely opposed to Trump’s heavy-handed occupation of their city.
The event took a bizarre turn when Trump began discussing his plans to renovate the city’s parks, boasting that he would install new sprinkler systems and re-grass the areas to make them resemble his own Trump National Golf Club. This unexpected tangent left many in attendance perplexed and highlighted the president’s propensity for self-aggrandizement.
The occupation of Washington D.C. has faced criticism from residents, with 79% in a recent poll expressing opposition to the troop presence. Many accuse Trump of using this occupation to exert control over a city with a large Black population, raising concerns about racial justice and police brutality.
As one rally attendee told local station WUSA, “There is absolutely no circumstance that can justify this police invasion of Washington, D.C.” The sentiment is echoed by many in the city, who see Trump’s actions as a blatant attempt to intimidate and suppress their community.
As the occupation continues, it remains to be seen how Trump’s administration will respond to the growing backlash from D.C. residents. One thing is certain: the president’s rambling pep talk and bizarre promises have only further alienated him from the people he claims to serve.
