The White House Correspondents' Association condemns the "unacceptable" restriction of press access during Biden's Quad Summit.

The WHCA deemed the absence of press access from the Biden administration during the Quad Summit as unacceptable on Thursday.

Biden will hold talks with leaders from Australia, India, and Japan at his home in Wilmington, Delaware on Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately, reporters will not be permitted to cover these meetings due to security concerns.

The WHCA president and Politico correspondent Eugene Daniels stated in an email to press obtained by Planet Chronicle Digital that it is unacceptable for the president of the United States to not have access to him during bilateral meetings due to a location chosen by the White House.

Daniels stated in a message to the White House that he comprehends the administration's stance on the press not being allowed to see POTUS's eyes or cameras during the historic meeting. He noted that he cannot recall any previous instance where this president has had a bilateral meeting on US soil and the press and the American people were excluded from viewing it.

The WHCA's stance is that the pool should not be restricted from covering the greetings this time. We have discussed various scenarios and possibilities for the pool to cover these moments. Although we acknowledge security concerns, it is crucial for the public to have direct and independent press accounts of the greetings at the very least.

The email concluded with a request for the administration to reconsider its stance on bilateral access in line with established press access standards for these events.

During Thursday's press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned by reporters about the media access for the Quad Summit.

"Jean-Pierre stated that there would be numerous opportunities available, emphasizing that there were other things to see and experience throughout the day. He mentioned a family photo, a high school visit, an important cancer moonshot announcement, and a chance to see the leaders say goodbye on Saturday. Despite the excitement of these events, Jean-Pierre reminded everyone that there were other opportunities created as well."

The president's meetings with foreign leaders at his home are not unusual, and reporters will be able to see him and the leaders when they leave.

Foreign leaders have been hosted at the homes of past presidents without objection from the press.

Jean-Pierre rejected journalists' claims that the events were merely "photo opportunities."

Jean-Pierre stated that photo ops are important and may result in questions being taken during those moments. However, a formal press conference on this trip will not occur with this particular event. The decision not to hold a formal press conference is not unusual, as it has been discussed on many other events. The goal was to ensure ample press access throughout the day, which has been achieved. Let's wait and see how the day unfolds.

The Biden administration has been criticized by the WHCA for limiting media access and attacking reporters for negative press.