Federal court orders White House to lift restrictions on AP reporter access

A federal judge has mandated that the Trump administration reinstate the Associated Press's (AP) access to presidential events after the news agency was barred from coverage due to a dispute over terminology.

District Judge Trevor McFadden ruled on Tuesday that the administration's decision to restrict access to AP journalists was "contrary to the First Amendment," which enshrines the right to free speech. The controversy began when the AP refused to use the administration's preferred nomenclature, referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

Read more: Trump declares new authority over press pool access

As a result of the ban, the AP had been unable to attend press events at the White House or access Air Force One, significantly limiting its ability to report on presidential activities. Judge McFadden, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, paused the implementation of his ruling until Sunday, providing the administration's legal team time to consider an appeal.

In his ruling, McFadden stated, "The Court simply holds that under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists — be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere — it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints. The Constitution requires no less."

The AP argued that the restriction constituted a violation of its constitutional rights, claiming the administration retaliated against the agency for its refusal to adopt the new terminology.

In February, Judge McFadden had previously denied an immediate restoration of access to presidential events for the AP, but his latest ruling rectifies that decision. AP spokesperson Lauren Easton expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling, stating, "Today's ruling affirms the fundamental right of the press and public to speak freely without government retaliation. This is a freedom guaranteed for all Americans in the US Constitution."

The ruling has received praise from various organizations that had criticized the original restrictions. Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, described the judge's opinion as “careful” and “well-reasoned,” noting that the exclusion of the AP from the press pool was "retaliatory, viewpoint-based, and unconstitutional."

In response to the AP's legal challenge, the Trump administration defended its actions by claiming that AP was not entitled to "special access" to presidential events.

Despite the administration's efforts to promote the new terminology, the AP has stated its intention to continue using the term "Gulf of Mexico," while acknowledging the administration's renaming initiative. In retaliation for the AP’s refusal to adopt the new name, the White House imposed restrictions on the agency's access to coverage events that were part of the "pool" system, which allows journalists to report on presidential activities for their respective outlets.