The organization that represents White House journalists said Tuesday the recent lack of organized press briefings in the West Wing "sets a terrible precedent" and should be reversed.
Olivier Knox, the president of the White House Correspondents' Association, issued this statement Tuesday afternoon:
"This retreat from transparency and accountability sets a terrible precedent. Being able to question the press secretary or other senior government officials publicly helps the news media tell Americans what their most powerful representatives are doing in their name. While other avenues exist to obtain information, the robust, public back-and-forth we've come to expect in the James A. Brady briefing room helps highlight that no one in a healthy republic is above being questioned."
Earlier Tuesday, President Donald Trump said he instructed White House press secretary Sarah Sanders "not to bother" with holding daily briefings with the media.
"The reason Sarah Sanders does not go to the 'podium' much anymore is that the press covers her so rudely & inaccurately, in particular certain members of the press," Trump tweeted. "I told her not to bother, the word gets out anyway! Most will never cover us fairly & hence, the term, Fake News!"
Trump has a rocky relationship with the media, which he often calls out for what he believes is false and unfair reporting of him and his administration.
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