A federal judge has ruled that the White House must restore the Associated Press’s (AP) access to presidential events, including those in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One. This decision follows an incident in February 2025, when the Trump administration barred AP reporters for refusing to use the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico” as mandated by a new executive order.
U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden determined that the White House’s actions violated the First Amendment. He stated that the government cannot restrict press access based on a journalist’s viewpoint. The judge’s order requires the White House to lift the restrictions by April 13, 2025, while the lawsuit continues.
This ruling underscores the importance of press freedom and challenges the government’s role in controlling media coverage of the presidency.
