The White House’s Unprecedented Attack on the Press and the Rising Threat to Journalism
Tonight, I am writing an article to you that I wish I never had to write before. The threat to media is greater than it ever has been before, and as someone in this space, I am deeply concerned, but also ready to fight back. Before I begin, I wanted to take a minute to thank you for sticking with me on this platform. My work isn’t funded by ad revenue, but rather by you. I don’t have billionaire backers. I have you. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber today.
Today, in an alarming turn of events, the White House is waging an assault on press freedom in ways we have never seen before. The latest move by the administration to strip the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) of its long-standing authority to determine which journalists receive access to press briefings is not just a procedural change—it is a direct attack on the free press. By seizing this power for itself, the White House is ensuring that only journalists it deems favorable can ask questions, creating an environment reminiscent of authoritarian regimes like Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin.
The press briefing room has long been a battleground for truth, where journalists challenge those in power and demand accountability. By sidelining the WHCA and assuming control over who is granted access, the administration is consolidating its ability to silence dissenting voices and curate a more favorable media landscape. This move signals a dangerous shift away from democratic principles and towards state-controlled messaging.
Adding fuel to the fire, the White House has gone so far as to bar the Associated Press (AP) from the Oval Office and Air Force One. The AP, one of the most respected and independent news organizations in the world, has long served as a pillar of factual reporting. By preventing them from participating in press briefings, the administration is deliberately cutting off a key conduit of critical and objective journalism. This should alarm everyone—regardless of political affiliation—because an informed public relies on an unrestricted press to hold those in power accountable.
The attack on media doesn’t stop at the White House. In another troubling development, MSNBC has canceled the shows of Joy Reid and Katie Phang, two prominent voices who have been known for their insightful political analysis and fearless reporting. The timing of these cancellations raises serious concerns about the broader suppression of critical perspectives in mainstream media. Whether due to corporate interests, political pressure, or a combination of both, these moves only serve to limit diverse viewpoints at a time when they are needed the most.
We are witnessing an era where press freedom is under siege from multiple fronts. The attacks on journalists, media organizations, and independent voices are escalating, making it more important than ever to support independent journalism. Platforms like Substack provide a crucial space for journalists to continue their work without interference from government or corporate gatekeepers. If we value truth and accountability, we must invest in independent journalism, ensuring that free and fearless reporting continues.
Now more than ever, supporting independent voices is not just an option—it is a necessity. If you believe in a free press, consider becoming a paid subscriber to support my work today. The fight for press freedom depends on it.
I just wrote to the 2 CA senators, my US Representative and Representative Jeffries with this note.
Given today’s news about the White House now determining which news agents will have access to the President, I implore you, and all of the Democrats to fight back. This needs an immediate reaction and one that will demonstrate our belief in the truth.
I would suggest that the Democratic Senate and Democratic House jointly establish a “DC Newsroom” and push daily morning and evening updates.
We, the people, need access to the news of the day. They want us in the dark, we need the Democrats to shed the light on us.
Sincerely,
Alt National Parks is reporting the following. Can you investigate and report, please?
Operation Whirlwind
(Updated post—sorry it’s so long!)
What’s Happening Now?
In 2025, Operation Whirlwind was launched under Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin to investigate alleged threats against employees of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Initially framed as a national security measure, the operation quickly took aim at Congress over past remarks deemed threatening.
However, recent reports indicate that Operation Whirlwind has transformed into something far more alarming: a tool for suppressing opposition, silencing the media, and intimidating critics of the Trump administration. News organizations, advocacy groups, and even individuals expressing dissent have been targeted with legal threats and harassment. The administration is pushing the boundaries of First Amendment protections, with concerns growing that this is a direct attempt to control the narrative and stifle resistance.
Operation Whirlwind has expanded— the Trump administration will now handpick which media outlets can participate in the presidential press pool, the small, rotating group of reporters who relay the president’s daily activities to the public. This breaks decades of precedent, giving the White House more control over which journalists can witness the president’s actions up close and ask him questions.
Operation Whirlwind is also targeting individual citizens. People have been forcibly removed from events for speaking up against the administration. Everyday Americans who express dissent—whether at public forums, town halls, or even online—are becoming the latest targets of this operation. The crackdown on opposition is no longer limited to journalists and political figures; it is now reaching into communities across the country.
Attorney Ed Martin has also threatened to prosecute any resistance member who is in the way of Elon Musk or his staffers. As the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk and his team have been granted extraordinary authority, with Martin signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward any interference with their activities. This move is a further extension of Operation Whirlwind’s use of the legal system to protect those in power while targeting their opponents.
News media articles across the internet are being forcibly taken down, which we are sure many have noticed. Reports critical of the administration, investigative pieces exposing government overreach, and opinion pieces challenging the legitimacy of Operation Whirlwind are vanishing from websites, raising concerns about censorship at an unprecedented scale. Major news organizations are facing intense legal pressure, with some even forced to shut down sections of their coverage to avoid government retaliation.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The choice of “Operation Whirlwind” is deeply symbolic—and chilling. The name originates from the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, when the Soviet Union launched a military assault, Operation Whirlwind, to crush an uprising for independence and democratic reform. The operation resulted in brutal urban combat, thousands of casualties, and the forced suppression of a nation’s demand for freedom.
By adopting this name, the Trump administration’s modern-day Operation Whirlwind appears to signal a similar intent: to assert control, suppress dissent, and eliminate opposition at any cost. The echoes of history are unmistakable, and the implications for democracy and civil liberties in the U.S. are deeply concerning.