Today’s action revoking access for journalists from CNN, POLITICO, and MSNOW violates the First Amendment. The implications extend beyond these organizations: a standard used to exclude one news outlet because of its coverage could be applied to any outlet in the future. The American people, through a free and independent press, must be able to scrutinize those elected to power, regardless of whether government officials view it favorably.  That’s why courts have repeatedly held that once the White House provides access to journalists, it cannot deny that access arbitrarily or based on the content of their reporting. The WHCA calls on the administration to immediately restore our colleagues’ access.

– Jacqui Heinrich, WHCA President

The president said it plainly in the Oval Office, describing his own planned action as a “ban on the free press.”

The Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference. That protection does not depend on whether the president likes a news organization’s coverage, agrees with its reporting, or approves of the questions its journalists ask.

This is about more than the rights of journalists. It is about the right of the American people to receive a full and independent account of the activities, policies and decisions of whoever occupies the nation’s highest office.

The WHCA stands in defense of our colleagues at CNN, MSNOW, and POLITICO who are being singled out for doing their jobs.

Jacqui Heinrich, WHCA President

It is with sadness that I share the news of the passing of our colleague, Daniele Compatangelo.

Daniele covered the White House for many years and was an advocate for his colleagues in the foreign press. His passing at such a young age is a tragic loss, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fellow journalists during this difficult time.

On behalf of the White House Correspondents’ Association, I extend our sincere condolences to everyone who knew and worked with Daniele. We are grateful for his contributions to the White House press corps.

In a tribute shared by La7, News Director Andrea Salerno said, “We are shocked. All of La7 extends its deepest sympathies to his loved ones. Daniele was a rare and invaluable collaborator, for his desire to always report with precision and joy. He was a good journalist. He will be missed.”

We will share additional information about funeral arrangements and requests from the family as it becomes available.

-Jacqui Heinrich, president of the WHCA

The White House Correspondents’ Association will present special awards for exceptional service to its members and guests when its annual dinner was jarringly interrupted by a gunman trying to breach the security perimeter outside the dinner ballroom.

The President’s Award for Exceptional Service to the WHCA will be presented to Secret Service Police Officer Victor Gonzales and to the staff of the Washington Hilton.

Gonzales was at a security checkpoint when the gunman tried to burst through.

“Gonzales heroically engaged the armed suspect, placing himself directly in harm’s way,” said the Secret Service. “During the confrontation, Gonzales was struck in his protective vest and continued responding to the threat. His swift and decisive actions assisted in deterring the gunman from proceeding any further.”

“The WHCA is deeply grateful that law enforcement officials prevented the armed suspect from entering the ballroom,” said Weijia Jiang of CBS News, who as president of the association presided over the April dinner.

“Officer Gonzales played a significant role when he ran toward danger so that thousands of others could make it home safely. His courage stemmed from a dedication to service, which we are looking forward to honoring this week.”

The staff of the Hilton, in the ballroom and hallways throughout the hotel, remained on duty to help guests find their way in the aftermath of a dinner abruptly canceled. In the kitchen, staff worked quickly to preserve more than 2,000 unserved meals for donation to local shelters.

“Even after the men and women of the Washington Hilton experienced a harrowing situation, they continued to take care of guests,” said Jiang. “The WHCA appreciates their professionalism and commitment to service, which was on full display on April 25th. Every member of the team deserves to be recognized for their dedication.”

(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Photographer: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Both awards will be presented at a summer dinner of the association Friday in Washington, being held to finish the program that was interrupted in April, including a salute to the First Amendment in 250 years of American history, awards honoring groundbreaking reporting now, a salute to scholarship winners, and remarks by President Trump and entertainment by mentalist Oz Pearlman.

About Gonzales

A native of Texas, Gonzales served 5 years in the Marine Corps, as a Guard Company section leader at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., and as an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment.

In 2022, Gonzales joined the United States Secret Service Police. His assignments have included protecting the White House complex, securing locations associated with Secret Service protectees, and supporting major public gatherings and National Special Security Events.

Said the Secret Service: “Officer Victor Gonzales’s service that evening exemplified the values that have guided him throughout his military and federal law enforcement careers. He embodies the core values of the Secret Service: duty, justice, courage, honesty, and loyalty, as a commitment to safeguarding his country and community.

About the Washington Hilton and the WHCA

The WHCA and the Washington Hilton have a long history together.

The hotel has hosted the association dinner 62 times, roughly two out of three since they started with reporters and Calvin Coolidge in 1921.

After trying other hotels over the years, the WHCA moved to the Hilton in 1968, three years after it opened and shortly after Lyndon Johnson had announced he would not seek another term.  It held its dinner there every year since 1972.

For more, contact WHCA Executive Director Steve Thomma at director@whca.press

“The White House Correspondents’ Association stands with the New York Times reporters who were targeted for doing their jobs to uphold the public’s right to know how its government operates. The WHCA condemns any act of intimidation against journalists, including attempts to pressure them into revealing sources.”

-Weijia Jiang, WHCA President

WHCA Election Results – June 12, 2026

Here are the results of the 2026 WHCA Election.

A total of 264 ballots were submitted.

The terms start July 15.

PHOTO SEAT

Andrew Harnik, Getty Images                        245

Write-in                                                               4

Abstain                                                                15

PRINT SEAT

Steven Nelson, New York Post                      223

Write-in                                                              6

Abstain                                                             35

RADIO SEAT

Jared Halpern, Fox News Radio                 235

Write-in                                                               4

Abstain                                                               25

AT-LARGE SEAT 2026-2029 – AND PRESIDENT IN 2028-2029

Courtney Subramanian, Bloomberg           230

Write-in                                                             11

Abstain                                                              23

For more information, contact Executive Director Steve Thomma at director@whca.press

WHCA Election Results – May 4, 2026

Here are the results of the 2026 WHCA Special Election. A total of 291 ballots were submitted.

The term starts May 5

From May 5 through July 14, 2026, this person will serve as At-Large member of the board and Treasurer.

From July 15, 2026 – July 14, 2027, this person will be an At-Large member of the board and vice president.

From July 15, 2027 – July 14, 2028, this person will be an At-Large member of the board and president of the association.

AT-LARGE SEAT 2026-2028 – AND PRESIDENT IN 2027-2028

Karen Travers, ABC News                             267

Write-in                                                             14

Abstain                                                              10

For more information, contact Executive Director Steve Thomma at director@whca.press

The White House Correspondents’ Association announces that it is awarding more money for college scholarships than ever, providing a record amount of aid to aspiring journalism students across the country.

The grants will go to 30 outstanding students. All are invited as guests at the WHCA’s annual dinner on April 25. They also will attend a luncheon and program the day before in Washington. And they will be paired with volunteer mentors from the White House press corps for the coming year.

SEE THEM HERE

“The WHCA is proud to double down on the next generation of reporters at a moment when independent journalism is under pressure,” said Weijia Jiang, president of the association.

“Boosting our scholarship program is not just an investment in a group of bright scholars, but it’s an investment in the public’s right to be informed. We are excited to celebrate and honor their hard work.”

The WHCA is adding a new scholarship this year, at New York University. It also is increasing its financial support at 6 of its existing partners.

Overall, the association sponsors or co-sponsors scholarships at:

–American University;

–Arizona State University;

–Hampton University;

–Howard University;

–New York University;

–Northwestern University;

–Ohio University;

–the University of California, Berkeley’

–the University of Kansas;

–the University of Maryland;

–the University of Missouri;

–the University of Tennessee.

SEE DETAILS OF EACH SCHOLARSHIP

And it co-sponsors scholarships with:

–Asian American Journalists Association, this year at Princeton University

–National Association of Hispanic Journalists, this year at Sagrado Corazón University

–The White House Historical Association, at Iowa State University

–Syracuse University;

TO DONATE TO HELP SCHOLARSHIPS

Overall, the association this year will award $156,000 in grants, the highest amount since it started scholarships more than 3 decades ago.

In addition to grants from the WHCA and its partners, the association leverages another $14,500 in aid.

Including this year, the WHCA has provided grants to more than 440 students, awarding a total of $2.2 million in scholarships, and leveraging another $1.6 million in aid.

After a spike in spending in 2009 proved unsustainable, the association has followed a strategy of assuring future financial aid to aspiring and promising young journalists.

In 2014, it created a reserve fund to ensure that it could continue awarding scholarships without cuts or interruption even in challenging times. And since 2014, it has followed a strategy of growth including new partnerships to help students in more parts of the country. In recent years, it’s added scholarships in Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia, for example. And it created new partnerships with the Asian American Journalists Association and National Association of Hispanic Journalists that provide scholarships at various schools.

# # #

For more on the WHCA Scholarship program, contact Executive Director Steve Thomma at director@whca.press