White House press corps tears into CNN for BLOCKING key access to the debate: 'We don't know how this will play out in real time'

The White House Correspondents' Association tore into CNN after the network refused to allow a print reporter into the room during tonight's presidential debate. 

WHCA President Kelly O'Donnell warned in a lengthy statement that 'we don't know how this will play out in real time.' 

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are debating at CNN's Atlanta studio without an audience and their mics will be turned off when it's not their turn to speak. 

That could lead to moments that aren't captured neatly by television cameras. 

The WHCA had pitched that a print reporter from the president's traveling pool of reporters be allowed in the room to monitor the debate. 

Neither Biden nor Trump's campaign objected to this set-up. 

But CNN rejected the WHCA's ask, prompting O'Donnell's strong-worded statement.

'The pool is there for the "what ifs" in a world where the unexpected does happen,' O'Donnell said. 'A pool reporter is present to provide context and insight by direct observation and not through the lens of the television production.' 

The job of the print pool reporter is to file reports that all other media outlets can use. 

Instead of being allowed to stay throughout the debate, tonight's print pool reporter will be allowed to enter CNN's studio during the first commercial break to 'briefly observe the setting.' 

'This is not sufficient in our view and diminishes a core principle of presidential coverage,' O'Donnell said. 'The White House pool has a duty to document, report and witness the president's events and his movements on behalf of the American people.'

Later Thursday afternoon, CNN doubled down on the decision to keep the print pooler out of the room. 

'As proud members of the White House Correspondents Association, we respect the role the organization plays and their support for press freedom and access,' the statement said. 'CNN's Presidential Debate is being held without an audience in a CNN studio and is closed to press.'

The network went on to point out that its feed was being made available to other broadcast outlets - an unusual move when one of the networks snags a debate. 

Traditionally the Commission on Presidential Debates handles the general election debates, but after the 2020 cycle, the Republican National Committee was poised not to allow the bipartisan group to handle the affairs.

CNN and ABC swooped in and bartered with the Trump and Biden campaigns to handle two general election debates instead. 

CNN's will take place tonight while the ABC debate will be held September 10. 

The CPD has historically allowed a print reporter to remain in the room, O'Donnell said.