Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich criticized the Trump administration for centralizing control over the selection of press pool participants, a role previously held by the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA). The administration, led by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, argued the change empowers the public by including new voices. Critics, including National Press Club President Mike Balsamo, view this as a challenge to press independence and have urged the administration to reverse the decision.