Protect press freedom and WHCA control over press pool

This is what dictators do. The White House has announced plans to take control over which news outlets are part of the press pool that covers the President, a role previously managed by the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA). This move undermines the independence of the free press by allowing the administration to hand-pick favored outlets for access. A free and unrestrained press is essential for holding power to account in a democracy. The freedom of the press is part of the power of the people. I urge you to take action to protect press freedom and ensure the WHCA retains control over determining pool membership without interference from the White House. Consolidating this power with the executive branch poses a grave threat to the First Amendment and enables the suppression of critical voices. A vibrant democracy requires an independent press to serve as a watchdog over those in power.