Kamala Harris Faces Media Access Scrutiny After Reporter Denied Entry

Vice President Kamala Harris is facing renewed scrutiny over media access after a journalist from the right-leaning NHJournal reported being denied entry to cover her event in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Saturday.

Leonard Robinson, the journalist in question, stated that he had RSVPed for the event the previous day but was informed his name was not on the list. He observed that a photographer who also lacked prior authorization was subsequently allowed to enter the venue, which had been cited as being at full capacity. Robinson documented the incident on social media, noting his past experience covering various political figures, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who he said had previously answered his questions.

"When I showed up at the @KamalaHarris event in Manchester tonight, I was told my name wasn’t on the list," Robinson wrote on X. He further detailed that a staffer for U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, whose campaign event Harris was attending, "waved her hands no and prevented my entry, citing ‘full capacity.’"

Robinson's attempts to speak directly with campaign representatives for an explanation were also reportedly unsuccessful. Officials for Harris did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.

This event follows a pattern of recent reported instances where media access has been restricted. Days earlier, Harris received a muted response at a rally in Mississippi. Additionally, in early October, KCRA 3 reporter Ashley Zavala stated that her station and The New York Times were excluded from a campaign event in Sacramento featuring Harris and Democratic congressional candidate Richard Pan. A spokesman for the Pan campaign initially indicated that Harris's office was responsible for credentialing, but a member of Harris's team later reportedly denied this, attributing press access control to Pan's campaign.

Zavala contested the characterization of the Sacramento event as a "pooled press event," noting the absence of a formal credential application process and that only a select few outlets received invitations. She also stated that neither Harris nor Pan took questions from reporters during that event.

Restrictions on media access have become a more prominent issue in recent political landscapes. Former President Donald Trump's administration previously revoked White House press credentials for journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, though a federal judge later ordered their access to be restored. Governor Gavin Newsom's office has also faced criticism for limiting access to his tax records in July, granting it to specific news organizations while excluding others.

Robinson commented on the significance of such restrictions within New Hampshire's political culture, stating, "I’m quite proud of New Hampshire’s tradition of grassroots, retail politics. Denying press access is bad for the democratic process and the #FITN primary."