Reporters Covering Trump Get ‘Bathroom Escorts’

Donald Trump

NBC News correspondent Katy Tur reports the campaign of Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump has enhanced its limits on the media—adding a new policy that requires members of the press to have an escort when going to the bathroom. According to Tur, journalists “aren’t allowed to leave ‘the pen’ while Trump is in the room,” and Secret Service is enforcing the policym reports TV Newsers.

The Secret Service began providing Trump and fellow Republican candidate Dr. Ben Carson with protection earlier this month at their request and following approval from the Department of Homeland Security.

According to HuffPo, no other candidates have such protection, except Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, who as a former first lady has Secret Service protection for life. But the Trump campaign has been particularly aggressive in calling on the Secret Service—or citing the agency's concerns—to enforce press restrictions.

Journalists are increasingly frustrated by Trump staffers dictating how they cover his events. Trump’s campaign has required that reporters remain in a specified press area, preventing opportunities for covering protests and interacting with his supporters.

Two weeks ago, Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski threatened to "blacklist" CNN reporter Noah Gray for leaving the pen to cover a protester at a Massachusetts rally.