GOP and Democratic Senators have decried proposed restrictions that seek to limit press access to the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
Senators from both parties have criticized the Senate as it prepares to put in place strict limitations on reporters covering the impeachment proceedings, which would restrict the media from questioning lawmakers, limit reporters’ movements, and ban laptops and cellphones inside the Senate chamber.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) condemned the proposed press restrictions, writing on Twitter that they “go against the constitutional right of freedom of the press.”
The rules “have absolutely nothing to do with ensuring security,” Warren continued. “The American people need and deserve transparency and accountability during the impeachment trial.”
A preliminary security plan would significantly limit the movement of credentialed media members. Journalists would be restricted to a designated area and could only speak to senators who approached them. Under normal conditions, credentialed journalists can informally approach lawmakers in the hallways or on the way to the elevator or the Senate subway.
Members of the press corps are also asking for a waiver of the traditional ban on laptops and cellphones, which would enable them to file breaking news updates from gallery seats inside the Senate chamber, but that request has apparently been rejected. The security plan would also place a magnetometer at the door of the gallery seats to scan journalists as they enter and prevent them from bringing in electronics.
According to NBC News reporter Julie Tsirkin, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA.) slammed the plans as “bone-deep stupid.”
“I don’t understand why we’re doing it. I’ve expressed my feelings, majority rules,” Kennedy reportedly said.
Blunt told reporters on Tuesday that keeping senators from being mobbed in the hallways was “a legitimate concern” and that legislators need to be able to handle their historical duties “without having to fight their way onto an elevator.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) meanwhile said on Twitter that a free press “is essential to any democracy.”
“The impeachment trial is an important moment in our nation’s history. As we prepare to do our jobs and uphold the Constitution, the press should have the access needed to do theirs,” he wrote.
“We should not restrict press access during the impeachment trial. Period,” added Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on Twitter.
Reporters covering the trial have also warned that restrictions on media access will cripple their ability to do their job.
“The Standing Committee of Correspondents vigorously objects to restrictions being considered on press access during the upcoming Senate trial of President Trump,” the letter states.
Members of the press corps met last week with representatives from the office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms, seeking clarification on how the proposed restrictions would enhance security. Wire said the meeting ended inconclusively and that the journalists’ requests have been largely ignored.
The Epoch Times reached out to the Capitol Police and the Senate Sergeant at Arms but did not immediately hear back.
