I wonder what the small print on the back of the press pass says and what the press has to sign to get one. Every company ID card I've had says something like "This card is property of X Company and can be revoked or suspended at any time for any reason." The form I signed to get the pass said the same thing. I would be surprised if a White House Press Pass didn't have similar wording.
I secured a West Wing your for myself, my wife, and my daughter in June 2004. The same week that Reagan died. We dressed up. I had a suit on. The tour began around 8:00 pm because it only happens when business is done. I don’t recall the wording on the back of our pass, if any, but the message from the SS was loud and clear. Don’t fuck around. The tour was conducted by an energetic young WH staffer to Dick Cheney, and took over 2 hours. After we left every section, the SS shut things down behind us.
I’m fairly certain the Secret Service doesn’t need to answer to the press about who’s credentials are pulled.
I think this was an awesome move by the way.