When the first reports of the demolition of the White House’s East Wing started coming in, the Washington photo team began the hunt for the perfect vantage point. Their quest initially seemed stymied – access to the neighboring Treasury Building wasn’t granted. The Washington Monument and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture weren’t options either – both were closed because of the ongoing government shutdown.
But White House reporter Seung Min Kim had a contact who worked at an office building that would provide a good vantage point. Washington photographer Jacquelyn Martin was sent to that roof, where she produced stunning photos and video and became one of the first journalists to confirm not only that the East Wing was demolished but also that the corridor was coming down – something the White House had said wouldn’t happen, and something White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had to address, thanks to AP’s photos.
For sharp visual journalism, determined sourcing and a scoop that held the White House to its word, Jacquelyn Martin earns this week’s Best of the Week citation.
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