Jee Lee/MNS
Secret Service policemen blocked the Northwest gate of the White House on the fourth of July
The White House regularly invites journalists to cover events and gives plenty of information on how to get in. But in the end, what you need to know is that you’ll probably have to wait — very patiently.
I wish I had a sophisticated answer to the problem of getting into White House events. But I really don’t.
So brace yourselves, fellow journalists, as it is bound to happen to you if you’re working in Washington.
The first door to be closed to me was the Northwest gate of the White House. I was assigned by the Military Times newspapers to do a report at this year’s Fourth of July event on the South Lawn. President Barack Obama invited some 1,200 service members to the annual barbecue.
The first thing to do when covering a White House event is to contact the press office (202.456.2580.) You need to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, hometown and contact information via e-mail. Fulltime White House correspondents have “hard passes” that enable them to get into the press area at all times, but the rest of us have to apply for each event.
When I got to the Northwest entrance, it was blocked by Secret Service police cars and police officers who said everyone, including the media, was banned from passing through.
When something like this happens, you need to communicate with the press office, the publication you are reporting for and one of your editors. After the editor of Military Times spoke with the White House Press Office and leaving a voice mail there myself, a press officer came to escort me through the gate.
I did make it to the South Lawn, where I was allowed to take still photos, not shoot video or audio. And I wasn’t supposed to interview members of the military, which had been the point of my story idea. I got lucky and was able to ask a few questions to the closest willing serviceman around me, while also being escorted out of the yard.
The second door that was closed to me was that of the Department of Treasury, located right next to the White House. First lady Michelle Obama was scheduled to thank the employees for their work on the financial overhaul bill, which was up for a vote in the Senate.
Even after having RSVPed three business days in advance with the same detailed information I had given for the South Lawn event earlier, my photographer and I had to wait outside the gate for two hours. My photographer was cleared to cover the event, getting footage for me to work with, but I never got in. The press office just told me it takes longer for noncitizens to get cleared; I didn’t hear back from them until the event was already over.
My first attempts at covering the First Couple have been exhausting, although the Obamas are charming and interviewing high-profile public figures is exhilarating. But I’m happy I don’t have to knock on the White House doors every day.