According to an August letter obtained by Axios, the White House Press Photographers Association (WHNPA) condemned the “unprecedented curtailment of access” by Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign over the past few weeks.
Jessica Koscielniak, Chairperson WHNPAIn an August 28 letter to White House Advisor Harris, Trump expressed concern over the “downgrading of four seats for independent photojournalists to one” on Air Force Two. Axios The story broke on Thursday. According to Axios, Koscielniak also suggested in the letter that the campaign add “tracking planes” for additional media and that the White House Correspondents' Association consider rearranging seating on the plane.
“The current situation puts still photographers at a distinct disadvantage on any trip,” veteran White House press photographer Doug Mills told Axios in his personal capacity.
“It's essential for us that people understand the importance of having a great team of photographers, as each photographer has a different perspective on the event,” he continued.
What's new: In an Aug. 28 letter obtained by Axios, the White House Press Photographers Association said Harris' team was subjecting it to “unprecedented access restrictions.”
The VP's team did not respond until last night after we asked about the letter.
can be/ Sarah Fisher https://t.co/OOch8LDqWX pic.twitter.com/qkl5MaStBr
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) September 12, 2024
Koscielniak told Axios that he hasn't heard back since sending the letter, and the situation hasn't improved. Harris' office appeared to respond to the letter for the first time on Wednesday, but Axios notes that it did so after reaching out for comment. When asked about the initial lack of response, Harris' office told Axios that they had “been in constant communication with the president of the White House Correspondents' Association to explore solutions to increase media access.”
According to an email obtained by Axios, the vice president's office inquired about Koscielniak's concerns and requests but said it “found neither proposal to be feasible given available resources, including personnel and aircraft.”
“It's very disappointing,” Koscielniak told Axios about Harris' office's response. “This is the smallest number of media visits I can remember in any presidential election. When VP Harris became the candidate, the WHCA should have negotiated for all 13 of them to fly with Harris on her plane.”
Since the start of her presidential campaign, Harris has been criticized for not giving many unscripted remarks and interacting with the press. Former President Donald Trump does not have a press corps accompanying him on campaign trips, while Harris' rival has been more engaged with the press than she has, Axios noted. Harris' first sit-down interview came more than a month after the start of the presidential campaign, and she was not alone, but accompanied by her running mate. (Related article: Harris unable to explain change of attitude, says she has no regrets about Biden in first interview)
In the interview, Harris did not answer why she has shifted positions on several policy issues since the start of her campaign.
“Generally speaking, how should voters view some of the changes that you've outlined in your platform?” CNN's Dana Bash asked.
“I think the most important and significant thing about my policy views and my decisions is that my values ​​have not changed,” Harris responded.
