Judge Rejects AP’s Lawsuit Against White House Over Press Access Dispute

A federal judge ruled against the Associated Press (AP) in its legal challenge against the White House, denying the outlet’s attempt to regain exclusive access to President Donald Trump’s events. The decision follows AP’s lawsuit after it was barred from covering the Oval Office, Air Force One and Mar-a-Lago.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden determined that AP had not suffered any constitutional violation, as it still retains general media access to White House facilities. The ruling pointed out that the decision to revoke AP’s special privileges was within the president’s authority, comparing it to a president choosing which reporters to grant interviews.

The dispute stems from AP’s refusal to adopt the administration’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. Trump issued an executive order declaring it the “Gulf of America,” and when AP continued to use the previous name, the White House responded by revoking its special access. Trump later stated, “We’re going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it’s the Gulf of America.”

The White House argued in its legal response that AP was not facing censorship but simply losing privileges it had long received under previous administrations. Officials emphasized that AP could still attend briefings, access White House grounds and use pool reports for coverage.

McFadden sided with the administration, ruling that AP had not demonstrated harm, particularly since it continued to publish stories on White House activities. A follow-up hearing has been set for March 20, when AP’s request for an injunction will be reviewed.

Trump’s executive order also instructed federal agencies to adopt the new name in official records. February 9 has since been designated “Gulf of America Day.” While some media outlets, such as Fox News, have adopted the new terminology, others, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have refused.

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