The U.S. Treasury Department has barred certain journalists from attending the Group of 20 (G20) finance ministers’ meeting held in Asheville, North Carolina, marking another instance of restricted media access under the Trump administration. The meeting, hosted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, began on Saturday and continued through Tuesday, bringing together finance ministers and central bank governors from the world’s leading economies.

Among those denied credentials were reporters from major news organizations, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg News. Notably, Alan Rappeport, a Times correspondent who has covered Treasury and G20 finance meetings since 2017, was refused access, while another Times journalist, Berlin bureau chief Jim Tankersley, was permitted to attend. Bloomberg News reported that several of its journalists, including those based in Europe and Asia, also had their accreditation applications rejected.

The Treasury Department has not publicly provided an explanation for the exclusion of certain reporters. In an interview with The Associated Press, Secretary Bessent stated that the decision was "not related to point of view" but did not elaborate further.

The move has drawn criticism from the media outlets involved. The New York Times criticized the decision as a “blatant attempt to evade public scrutiny” and a further effort by the administration to undermine independent journalism. Bloomberg News expressed concern that denying its reporters access to the summit “undermines media freedom and public accountability.” The Wall Street Journal declined to comment on the matter.

This incident reflects ongoing tensions over press access during the Trump administration, which has frequently been accused of limiting transparency and curtailing media coverage at government events. The G20 meeting remains a critical forum for global economic coordination, making access for journalists a key component of public oversight.