Administration of the US President Donald Trump announced that lists of visitors to the White House will be kept secret, breaking with the practice of former President Barack Obama. 
The Trump administration cited privacy and national security concerns, but the decision angered government watchdog groups who accused Trump of reneging on his promise to "drain the swamp" in Washington. The groups see the visitor logs as important tools for monitoring which individuals or groups may be trying to influence White House policy. 
White House communications director Michael Dubke said Trump has taken steps to improve the ethical climate in Washington, such as imposing new restrictions on lobbying by departing administration officials and opening the White House press briefing room to outlets that previously didn't have access. 
He said the decision was based on the "grave national security risks and privacy concerns of the hundreds of thousands of visitors annually". 
The Trump administration's decision to keep the records secret means no documentation of any White House comings and goings will be routinely released while Trump is in office, though officials said information could be released case by case. 
However, visitor logs for White House agencies, such as the Office of Management and Budget and the US Trade Representative, may be released under the Freedom of Information Act. 

Source: QNA