A federal judge has upheld the Trump administration’s decision to bar the Associated Press (AP) from White House press events, denying the news agency’s request for immediate reinstatement. The ruling stems from a clash over President Donald Trump’s Executive Order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” a change the AP refuses to fully adopt, prompting the administration to limit its access.
At a glance:
- Judge Trevor McFadden declined AP’s emergency motion to restore White House access.
- The ban followed AP’s refusal to switch from “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America.”
- Trump insists on keeping AP out until it uses the new term; a hearing is set for March 20.
- The White House calls press access a privilege, not a right, defending its stance.
Court Upholds Trump’s Authority
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, appointed by Trump, ruled Monday against the AP’s plea to immediately restore its access to White House events, including the Oval Office and Air Force One. The AP, which has relied on pool reporting for over a century, argued the ban violates its First Amendment rights, claiming it’s retaliation for not dropping “Gulf of Mexico” from its style guide after Trump’s Executive Order. McFadden, while calling the ban “discriminatory” and “problematic,” said the AP isn’t suffering “irreparable harm” since it can use notes from other pool reporters. He set a follow-up hearing for March 20, per CBS News, signaling the issue needs more review but leaving the ban intact for now.
The White House stood firm, stating, “As we have said from the beginning, asking the President of the United States questions in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One is a privilege granted to journalists, not a legal right.” Trump himself doubled down at Mar-a-Lago on February 18, telling reporters, “We’re going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it’s the Gulf of America,” adding, “We’re very proud of this country.” The AP counters that it acknowledges the renaming but sticks to “Gulf of Mexico” for its global audience, a stance that led to its exclusion from pool events like a Florida trip and the Daytona 500.
Press Freedom Clash Escalates
The dispute kicked off after Trump’s January Executive Order dubbed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” a move the White House hailed as recognizing its American identity. When the AP resisted fully adopting the term, the administration clamped down, barring its reporters and photographers from key press areas. The AP’s lawsuit names Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, asserting, “The press and all people in the United States have the right to choose their own words and not be retaliated against by the government.” Despite support from dozens of news outlets—including Fox and NewsMax—via a White House Correspondents’ Association letter, the administration insists it’s holding “Fake News accountable,” with McFadden’s ruling offering no immediate relief.
