Senate looking to limit press access during the Trump impeachment trial

This appeared in The Millennial Source

The impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump began Tuesday in the Senate. Journalists are pushing back against proposed rules that would limit press access.

Here is a look on previous impeachments to understand the role the press can play in the procedures.

A limit on access and electronic devices

As reported by Roll Call last week, proposed rules for enforcing security during the impeachment trial are resulting in an “ unprecedented crackdown” on members of the press. In addition to security screenings for everyone entering the building, the proposed rules are set to limit where journalists can move within the Senate and prevent them from bringing in electronic devices.

Journalists are generally permitted to move freely in the hallways and corridors of the Senate, according to The New York Times. This allows them to directly interact with senators as they cross from their offices to the Senate chambers, where the Senate performs its legislative duties. However, during the impeachment trial, journalists will be restricted to roped-off pens.

Additionally, C-SPAN, the nonprofit television station that airs many congressional…