Trump hosts Xi as journalists regain White House access

Ceremony for Xi Jinping

President Trump held an elaborate ceremony for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, one of two presidential developments featured on the Sept.

The ceremony itself was the focus, rather than an election or candidate contest. The episode did not connect the event to a federal or state race, and no candidates were associated with the story beyond Trump’s role as president.

White House access restored

The program also reported that journalists regained access to the White House after Trump had barred them. The change restored their ability to enter the White House following the president’s restriction.

White House access is separate from attendance at campaign events. It concerns journalists’ entry to the seat of the executive branch, where they cover the president and the administration. The program paired that access development with Trump’s ceremony for Xi, making presidential conduct and press access its two stated subjects.

The CBS News program is hosted by Major Garrett. Its Sept. 24 installment presented the ceremony and the return of journalists’ access as distinct developments involving the presidency. Neither subject was directly tied to an election, ballot measure or active candidate race.