TOTAL BS!
WASHINGTON — The White House restored access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Thursday, complying with a federal judge’s order by creating a new press section inside the White House with full access to the building and no discernible view of the president.
The three outlets were issued restored hard passes and assigned seats in the newly designated Brady Briefing Room Restricted-View Annex, located directly behind the briefing-room wall.
“The court ordered access to the White House, and they have access to the White House,” a senior administration official said. “They’re in it right now.”
The annex contains three folding chairs, a water cooler and a narrow opening in the wall through which credentialed reporters can hear approximately 70 percent of each briefing.
Officials said the opening was already there. CNN asked whether it could be enlarged. The request was denied.
Under the new arrangement, reporters wishing to ask a question may write it on an index card and slide it through the opening.
Questions deemed appropriate will be read aloud by a White House staffer. Follow-ups require a second index card.
Politico asked whether reporters would be permitted to enter the actual briefing room. “The judge ordered us to restore their White House access,” an official said. “Nobody said anything about a good seat.”
MS NOW objected that reporters could not see the podium from the annex. The White House responded Thursday afternoon by installing a mirror.
Officials described the mirror as a significant accommodation and said taxpayers should not be expected to pay for a second one.
President Trump later praised the arrangement as proof that his administration respects the judiciary. “We complied completely,” Trump said. “They’re inside the White House. Very nice area. CNN has a chair. Politico has a chair. The other one has a chair. Everybody has a chair.”
Asked whether he would take questions from reporters seated behind the wall, Trump said he would consider it. “If I can hear them.”
The White House also confirmed that the restored hard passes work throughout the building.
CNN tested its credential Thursday morning and successfully entered the White House complex before being directed to a hallway, through two doors, around a corner and into the annex.
“The pass turned green,” an administration official said. “Case closed.”
Officials said additional improvements are already being considered, including a coat hook, an extension cord and a small bell reporters could ring when they believe the briefing has started.
The White House emphasized that seating assignments remain subject to change. A fourth folding chair has been placed in a nearby broom closet.
Officials declined to say why.
TOTAL BS is SATIRE — The news is real. The TOTAL BS is intentional.
For the real BS read this — Judge orders White House to restore press passes for CNN, Politico and MS NOW
