In a move echoing his first term, former President Donald Trump's administration has decided to keep White House visitor logs confidential during his second term in office. This decision, confirmed by a White House official to the Washington Examiner, aligns with the policy established in April 2017, as reported by the Washington Post. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers emphasized that this approach provides "a level of access and transparency never seen before," contrasting it with the Biden administration's alleged "empty promises, lies, and secrets."

Former President Donald Trump pictured in front of the White House. (Getty Images/AP Images)

The Presidential Records Act protects these logs from public disclosure for five years after a president leaves office, making their release optional. This contrasts with President Joe Biden's practice of regularly releasing visitor records monthly throughout his tenure, a practice initially lauded by media outlets like the New York Times as a step towards governmental transparency. However, a Bloomberg review later identified inconsistencies and gaps in the disclosed records from Biden's first two years.

Former President Joe Biden at a surprise press briefing appearance in October 2024. (POOL)

Notably, the White House had not released visitor logs for July 2024, the month Biden withdrew his re-election bid, raising questions about who was advising him before this significant decision. Former President Barack Obama was the first to disclose visitor logs, setting a precedent that subsequent administrations have handled differently.

White House visitor logs are protected by the Presidential Records Act. (Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)