AP presses judge for second time to restore White House access

WASHINGTON - For the second time, the Associated Press has asked a federal judge to immediately restore its access to presidential events, arguing that the Trump administration has intensified its retaliation against the news outlet for refusing to follow the president’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico.

U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden denied AP’s request last week for an injunction to lift the ban on many of its reporters and photographers.

However, he noted that case law weighed against the White House and urged the administration to reconsider its stance before a second hearing set for March 20.

In a lawsuit filed late Monday, AP cited multiple instances of journalists being turned away. One example included a photographer who was barred from the West Palm Beach airport tarmac, preventing coverage of Air Force One’s arrival.

The lawsuit also noted the White House’s decision to fully control membership in the press pool that covers smaller presidential events.

The administration has denied blocking AP from reporting the news or entering White House grounds, stating that access to the president remains under its control.

In recent days, the White House has expanded the press pool to include outlets that openly support Trump’s views.

AP filed its initial lawsuit on Feb. 21, naming White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as defendants.

The news organization called the White House’s actions a “targeted attack” on press freedom and the public’s right to speak freely without government retaliation.

“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,” AP’s lawsuit states. “The Constitution does not allow the government to control speech. Allowing such government control and retaliation to stand is a threat to every American’s freedom.”

AP argues that because the body of water is not entirely within the United States, Trump’s order would not apply beyond U.S. borders and could confuse readers.

The AP Stylebook, widely used by other news organizations, advises maintaining “Gulf of Mexico” for clarity while noting Trump’s decision.

The White House has also removed AP from press pools it has participated in for more than a century. Additionally, AP says its Washington reporters were turned away from larger events open to all journalists with White House credentials who reserve in advance.

These included recent state appearances by French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Dozens of news organizations, including Trump-friendly outlets such as Fox News and Newsmax, signed a letter urging the White House to reverse its policy.

Gavin Rollman is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email gmr5526@psu.edu.