Fact Check: Did the Biden administration remove more than 440 reporters from the White House press pool?

Media Bias Fact Check (MBFC) publishes daily vetted fact checks from verified IFCN-approved sources. Each claim is independently reviewed for accuracy and context.


Claimant: Fox News, One America News Network, Rep. Steve Scalise and the White House


Claim: The Biden administration cut more than 440 reporters from the White House press pool in 2023.


Rating: MOSTLY FALSE


Explanation: The number of permanent White House “hard pass” credentials fell after the Biden administration tightened eligibility requirements, but that did not mean more than 440 reporters were removed from the press pool. Many journalists simply did not renew, and reporters who lacked hard passes could still seek temporary day passes. (snopes.com)


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Date: 09/23/2026


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Last Updated on September 23, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check