Megan Basham

The Reverend Duke Lackey, senior pastor at United Methodist Church in Raleigh, asked during his Sunday sermon why USAID funding can't continue while federal spending is being audited. And he suggested that the government is morally obligated to continue funding religious groups.

The Reverend Duke Lackey, senior pastor at United Methodist Church in Raleigh, asked during his Sunday sermon why USAID funding can't continue while federal spending is being audited. And he suggested that the government is morally obligated to continue funding religious groups.

It's worth pointing out that even conservative denominations have seen a split between leadership and rank and file church members over this. Just yesterday, Daily Wire reporter Leif LeMayhew had a story about the Presbyterian Church in America, which is known for being very conservative. Their missions arm issued guidelines to illegal aliens on how to avoid detection by ICE.

It's worth pointing out that even conservative denominations have seen a split between leadership and rank and file church members over this. Just yesterday, Daily Wire reporter Leif LeMayhew had a story about the Presbyterian Church in America, which is known for being very conservative. Their missions arm issued guidelines to illegal aliens on how to avoid detection by ICE.

And when word got out, there was outcry and that page disappeared.

And when word got out, there was outcry and that page disappeared.

So the White House says that they're emphasizing access and availability. And because of that, they're now welcoming non-traditional media outlets into the briefing room. And that includes political podcasts, bloggers, independent journalists, people like that who reach large and or underserved audiences.

So the White House says that they're emphasizing access and availability. And because of that, they're now welcoming non-traditional media outlets into the briefing room. And that includes political podcasts, bloggers, independent journalists, people like that who reach large and or underserved audiences.

So to give you just one example, one of the White House's first press briefings included John Ashbrook of the podcast Ruthless, which is especially popular with young men. And then newer outlets with very large audiences, like the Daily Wire, also now have ongoing credentials for daily briefings.

So to give you just one example, one of the White House's first press briefings included John Ashbrook of the podcast Ruthless, which is especially popular with young men. And then newer outlets with very large audiences, like the Daily Wire, also now have ongoing credentials for daily briefings.

And our new White House correspondent, Mary Margaret Olihan, has already been called on for several questions. So the White House has also established a permanent seat that will be occupied by rotating members of the new media. And Levitt invited outlets to apply for credentials for that seat. And at last count, at least 11,500 have done so.

And our new White House correspondent, Mary Margaret Olihan, has already been called on for several questions. So the White House has also established a permanent seat that will be occupied by rotating members of the new media. And Levitt invited outlets to apply for credentials for that seat. And at last count, at least 11,500 have done so.

Some are. So already the Department of Defense has restructured its press access with a new annual media rotation program. So legacy outlets like the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, Politico, NPR, they'll still be members of the Pentagon Press Corps and have access to DOD briefings, but they're not going to get dedicated workspace in the building, which they have in the past.

Some are. So already the Department of Defense has restructured its press access with a new annual media rotation program. So legacy outlets like the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, Politico, NPR, they'll still be members of the Pentagon Press Corps and have access to DOD briefings, but they're not going to get dedicated workspace in the building, which they have in the past.

Instead, this year, those offices are going to outlets like the New York Post, Newsmax, the Huffington Post, the Free Press, and then they'll rotate again in 2026. Now, I imagine these legacy outlets are not happy about this. Well, I would say that's putting it mildly.

Instead, this year, those offices are going to outlets like the New York Post, Newsmax, the Huffington Post, the Free Press, and then they'll rotate again in 2026. Now, I imagine these legacy outlets are not happy about this. Well, I would say that's putting it mildly.

A New York Times spokesman said that these are, quoting here, steps designed to impede access that are clearly not in the public interest. And a former Politico exec told CNN that it's the erasure of journalism. So some somewhat hyperbolic responses there.

A New York Times spokesman said that these are, quoting here, steps designed to impede access that are clearly not in the public interest. And a former Politico exec told CNN that it's the erasure of journalism. So some somewhat hyperbolic responses there.

And then just generally you're hearing these outlets who are losing their workspaces, accusing the administration of giving preferential treatment to Trump-friendly outlets. And you do have to say it's true that some of these outlets are considerably more favorable to Trump than, say, CNN and The Washington Post, whose own owner, Jeff Bezos, has acknowledged that it has a liberal bias problem.

And then just generally you're hearing these outlets who are losing their workspaces, accusing the administration of giving preferential treatment to Trump-friendly outlets. And you do have to say it's true that some of these outlets are considerably more favorable to Trump than, say, CNN and The Washington Post, whose own owner, Jeff Bezos, has acknowledged that it has a liberal bias problem.