The official called reporters tonight to tell how the decision was made.
One reporter finally called out, "Are you allowed to ask him any questions?"
When might a story be "big enough" to start calling reporters to come in during the night, and how do you decide that?
President Clinton called reporters in today to talk policy, introducing a plan to pay off the federal debt by 2013.
But they hastily called reporters today because of a change in the President's schedule.
The problem, presidential aides called reporters to explain some hours later, was that the President had not really ruled out anything.
Film executives keep calling reporters, angling for details on the case.
He has been known to call reporters and even newspaper publishers to register a thought or a complaint.
And late yesterday afternoon, aides to the Mayor called reporters to say that they were mistaken.
We do know that the White House lied about who was involved in calling reporters.