And yet you guys would complain if it was Biden.
Speaking o Biden…
President Biden did allow the press limited access to some of his Cabinet meetings, but the extent and nature of that access varied and has been a point of discussion. Typically, during his administration, a small pool of reporters was permitted into the Cabinet Room at the start of meetings for brief remarks or photo opportunities, after which they were escorted out. For example, at a Cabinet meeting on September 20, 2024—the first full meeting in nearly a year—reporters were present for opening statements, including remarks from both President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, before being ushered out. This practice aligns with a controlled approach to media access, where only initial portions were open to the press, not the full deliberations.
Compared to some predecessors, Biden’s administration was noted for restricting broader, unscripted access. Under Trump, reporters often had more opportunities to shout questions during Cabinet meetings or on his way to Marine One, whereas Biden’s team managed interactions more tightly. Reports suggest that even within these limited openings, aides sometimes pre-screened topics or questions with Cabinet officials to maintain focus and efficiency, a practice criticized by some as overly scripted. However, there’s no evidence of a blanket ban on press at Cabinet meetings—access was granted, just on a constrained and choreographed basis.
Historical context shows this isn’t unique; past administrations, like Obama’s, also balanced openness with control, though Biden’s lower frequency of full Cabinet meetings (e.g., only one between October 2023 and September 2024) and fewer solo press conferences fueled perceptions of limited transparency. So, yes, the press was allowed at Cabinet meetings, but only briefly and under strict conditions, not for the entirety of the sessions.
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