Editor’s note: Donald Trump takes a page from Eric Adams’ playbook

There’s no doubt that relations between the press and New York City Mayor Eric Adams are getting nasty. Adams signaled his displeasure with the media when he was recently asked why he skipped two weekly off-topic press conferences. “Because y’all are liars,” he harrumphed on Feb. 13, a response caught on video. It wasn’t a good look for the mayor, who represented himself earlier in his administration as becoming more press-friendly by allowing community newspapers into Room 9, where journalists covering the mayor are usually seated at City Hall. It was still a controversial move because news outlets that had multiple seats for years were forced to give them up to make room for the smaller news organizations moving in – including City & State, which previously didn’t have an official desk in Room 9.

President Donald Trump appears to be making similar moves. The president’s administration last week announced that it was going to pick which news organizations can be part of the White House press pool. Trump argued it was a move that would allow more news outlets to join the pool, but critics worried the president would use the decision to pick his favorites among journalists. This is the same president who came up with the expression “fake news,” showing his hostility to being reported on. And it’s in line with Adams’ more recent attitude toward the press. City & State, grateful to be included on Adams’ list, remains committed to covering this challenging news cycle with whatever access we’re given.