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By Staff Writer with Agencies
A U.S. District Judge has ruled in favor of the Associated Press (AP), ordering the Trump administration to restore access to presidential events for its journalists. The ruling comes after a long-standing dispute between the White House and the news agency over the administration’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
On Tuesday, District Judge Trevor McFadden declared that the White House’s restrictions on the AP’s access were a violation of the First Amendment. He noted that the government cannot block access to some journalists based on their views, emphasizing the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech.
“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,” Judge McFadden wrote in his decision.
The controversy began after President Donald Trump issued an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” a move the AP refused to adopt in its coverage. The news agency continued to use the traditional name, which prompted the White House to restrict its access to key presidential events, including Air Force One and press conferences at the White House.
Happening today: US court orders White House to restore access for AP journalists
Is a government ever justified in restricting the rights of journalists who have opposing viewpoints?
A government's attempt to dictate how its actions and policies are reported by the press can… pic.twitter.com/CtXX3Ot8jh
— Pastor Insights (@PastorInsights_) April 9, 2025
The Associated Press argued that this action infringed upon its rights as a press organization, asserting that the government should not be able to retaliate against a media outlet for disagreeing with its language. In a statement following the ruling, AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton expressed gratitude for the decision, underscoring its significance for press freedom.
“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,” Easton said.
Despite the ruling, the AP reported that two of its journalists were still blocked from attending a Trump event on Tuesday evening, raising questions about the administration’s compliance with the court order. A photographer and a reporter were turned away from joining Trump’s motorcade traveling to a National Republican Congressional Committee dinner.
The decision was welcomed by press freedom advocates and organizations, including Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. “This is a careful, well-reasoned opinion that properly describes the exclusion of the Associated Press from the press pool as retaliatory, viewpoint-based, and unconstitutional,” Jaffer commented.
The lawsuit was filed against three senior Trump administration officials: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich. The AP claimed that the restrictions were unlawful and violated press freedoms.
The Trump administration had argued that the AP was not entitled to “special access” to presidential events. Shortly after Trump took office, his administration enacted the executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as part of a broader effort to reflect what it called “America’s ownership” of the region. The AP continued to use the name “Gulf of Mexico,” sparking the ongoing dispute.
This legal battle adds to a broader narrative of tensions between the Trump administration and the media. Throughout his presidency, Trump has targeted several media outlets he perceived as unfavorable, including shuttering the government-funded Voice of America network and Radio Free Asia. He has also threatened funding for NPR and PBS, accusing them of liberal bias. In contrast, his administration has opened up access to more conservative-leaning media outlets, including new networks and social media influencers.
Judge McFadden’s decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing fight for press freedoms, as the White House is now legally compelled to restore access for AP journalists, ensuring that no journalist is excluded from covering presidential events based on their viewpoints.
The case continues to unfold, and it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will appeal the ruling before its implementation takes effect later this week.
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