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Judge Mandates White House to Reinstate Associated Press Access
A U.S. federal judge has instructed the Trump administration to restore the Associated Press’s (AP) access to presidential events. This decision follows the White House’s move to bar the news agency amidst a disagreement concerning usage of the term “Gulf of America.” The administration had restricted access due to the AP’s refusal to adopt the term, instead of “Gulf of Mexico,” sparking a First Amendment debate over press freedom and government retaliation.
Court Ruling Protects Press Freedom
District Judge Trevor McFadden declared on Tuesday that the Trump administration‘s limitations on AP journalists were “in violation of the First Amendment,” which ensures freedom of speech. This legal challenge arose after the AP declined to adhere to the administration’s directive to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” in its news coverage, a change initiated by an executive order from then President Donald Trump.
AP Access Barred from White House and Air Force One
The imposed ban resulted in the AP being prevented from attending press briefings and events at the White House, as well as access to Air Force One, the presidential aircraft.
Judge McFadden, Trump Appointee, Rules Against Administration
Judge McFadden, himself a Trump appointee during his initial term, also temporarily paused the implementation of his ruling until Sunday. This delay allows the administration’s legal team time to consider an appeal.
“The Court simply maintains that under the First Amendment, should the Government open its doors to journalists — be it within the Oval Office, the East Room, or any other location — it cannot subsequently shut those doors to specific journalists based on their viewpoints,” Judge McFadden stated in his judgment. “The Constitution demands nothing less.”
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AP Argues Restriction Violated Constitutional Rights
The Associated Press contended that the administration infringed upon its constitutional right to free speech by limiting access as a consequence of disagreements over the news agency’s editorial language.
Previous Ruling and Subsequent Decision
In February, Judge McFadden had initially declined to immediately reinstate the AP’s access to presidential events. However, following Tuesday’s ruling, AP spokesperson Lauren Easton expressed the agency’s satisfaction, stating that the AP was “gratified by the court’s decision.”
“Today’s ruling affirms the fundamental right of the press and the public to communicate freely without government reprisal. This is a freedom guaranteed for all Americans by the U.S. Constitution,” Easton stated in a released statement.
Industry Welcomes Ruling on Press Access
Organizations critical of the initial restrictions imposed on the AP also welcomed the court’s decision.
“This is a thoughtful, well-reasoned opinion that accurately characterises the exclusion of the Associated Press from the press pool as retaliatory, viewpoint-based, and unconstitutional,” commented Jameel Jaffer, executive director at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.
AP Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Officials
The AP had initiated legal action against three senior Trump administration officials — Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich — asserting that the access limitations were unlawful and infringed upon press freedom.
The Trump administration defended its actions by arguing that the Associated Press was not entitled to “special access” to the President.
Background: “Gulf of America” Renaming and Press Pool Access
Shortly after assuming office in January, the Trump administration issued an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” with the White House stating this reflected the gulf’s “integral status as part of America.”
The AP announced it would continue to use the term Gulf of Mexico, while acknowledging the Trump administration’s endeavor to rename it. In response, the White House proceeded to restrict the AP’s access to events covered by the “pool” of journalists who disseminate information to other news outlets.