Video: White House Pushes Media Out of Lafayette Park

This is a very disturbing video. A small number of veterans chain themselves to the White House fence. Reporters are eager to take pictures — even from across the street — and to shout questions on their protest of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Instead, the White House orders media pushed entirely out of the Lafayette Park.

Other footage of the incident shows the White House examining the veterans to confirm that they are not armed. They movement of reporters across the street is certainly understandable. However, the image left by the White House is that of police keeping dozens of reporters from speaking to the protesters or filming the scene.

It is likely a case of standard operating procedures without any element of discretion or logic being used by the White House. There should be some reasonable judgment exercised before effectively blacking out media coverage. What we are left with the impression of a “Don’t See, Don’t Film” policy.