Former Press Secretary Dana Perino revealed that press restrictions in the Obama White House “shocked” reporters who complained about access under President George W. Bush.
Perino noted that the photographers suffered the most under the new administration, which she found puzzling.
Perino made her remarks during a Sirius/XM interview with host Julie Mason on the SiriusXM’s Leading Ladies Townhall Series on the POTUS channel. The full interview airs on Friday at 3:00, 5:00, 9:00 and 11:00.
Perino said she was “alarmed” when President Obama shot basketball hoops with female athletes and the press pool and photographers were not allowed into the event.
Later, she noted, the White House videographer released a video of Obama playing basketball.
When she worked at the White House under Bush, Perino said that both the President and the First Lady expected White House staff to treat every reporter as guests in their home.
Perino said that she did “some permanent damage” to her health at the White House.
Perino will be releasing a book in May 2015 featuring a “candid self-portrait” of her career.