This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

WASHINGTON – A change is coming to the storied White House "press pool." The pool covers events in tighter spaces – such as the Oval Office or aboard Air Force One – when all reporters who cover the White House cannot be accommodated.

The White House Correspondents' Association has traditionally maintained the rotating roster of reporters who take part in the pool each day. Radio, television, print, and newswire services are each represented in the pool, with one outlet from each medium taking part for a single day before passing duties on to another in their field for the next day.

As part of her effort to modernize the press briefing room, Leavitt announced today the White House press office will be taking over the assigning of the pool rotation. She will also be expanding it.

"Legacy outlets who have participated in the press pool for decades will still be allowed to join, fear not," Leavitt explained. "But we will also be offering the privilege to well-deserving outlets who have never been allowed to share in this awesome responsibility."

A few quietly excited exclamations of "yes!" could be heard in the briefing room as she shared the news.

This decision comes on the heels of a victory for the Trump White House as a federal judge denied a motion by the Associated Press seeking to be allowed back into the pool for the Oval Office and Air Force One while the legacy organization's lawsuit over being barred from those privileged locations is ongoing.

The organization was banned from those two points by the Trump administration for refusing to recognize that the administration has changed the name to the Gulf of America, from the old name Gulf of Mexico.

A graphic showcasing the word "Victory" stamped over a Gulf of America map could be seen by reporters entering the press briefing room on Tuesday.

"The judge's ruling upholding our decision to deny the Associated Press such privileged access reinforces the truth," Leavitt told reporters. "Asking the president of the United States questions in limited spaces, such as the Oval Office or Air Force One, is a privilege […] It is not a legal right for all."

The second Trump administration continues its mission to be the most accessible administration in history. President Trump answers questions from the press corps on an almost daily basis, and the White House press team has been known to let more journalists into events which are usually restricted to the pool.

"A select group of D.C.-based journalists should no longer have a monopoly over the privilege of press access at the White House. All journalists, outlets, and voices deserve a seat at this highly coveted table," Leavitt said.

The WHCA reacted strongly and negatively. In a statement attributed to association president Eugene Daniels, the group said the move. "…tears at the independence of a free press." They promised to "…never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency and the right of the American public to read, listen to and watch reports from the White House."

Daniels also claimed the WHCA was not given a heads up on the decision, despite his being seen leaving the press office space shortly before the briefing began.

The White House Correspondents' Association's statement reads in full:

"This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States. It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps.

"For generations, the working journalists elected to lead the White House Correspondents' Association board have consistently expanded the WHCA's membership and its pool rotations to facilitate the inclusion of new and emerging outlets.

"Since its founding in 1914, the WHCA has sought to ensure that the reporters, photographers, producers and technicians who actually do the work – 365 days of every year – decide amongst themselves how these rotations are operated, so as to ensure consistent professional standards and fairness in access on behalf of all readers, viewers and listeners.

"To be clear, the White House did not give the WHCA board a heads up or have any discussions about today's announcements. But the WHCA will never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency and the right of the American public to read, listen to and watch reports from the White House, delivered without fear or favor."

However, Leavitt indicated these shakeups were an addition to the status quo, not a complete overhaul. She promised legacy television networks, radio, and the print rotation will remain a part of the pool.

"By deciding which outlets make up the limited press pool on a day-to-day basis, the White House will be restoring power back to the American people who President Trump was elected to serve," Leavitt said.