Associated Press scores victory after Trump banned outlet from White House events over 'Gulf of America' clash
A federal judge ordered Donald Trump's White House on Tuesday to restore The Associated Press' full access to cover presidential events after they were banned for refusing to say 'Gulf of America.'
In February, the Trump administration indefinitely banned the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One over the wire service's refusal to change AP style from the Gulf of Mexico.
US District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, a Trump appointee, ruled that the government can't retaliate against the AP´s decision not to follow the president´s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico.
'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,' McFadden wrote. 'The Constitution requires no less.'
It was unclear whether the White House would move immediately to put McFadden´s ruling into effect.
McFadden held off on implementing his order for a week, giving the government time to respond or appeal.
The AP has been blocked since Feb. 11 from being among the small group of journalists to cover Trump in the Oval Office or aboard Air Force One, with sporadic ability to cover him at events in East Room.
Deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich posted to X at the time, claiming the AP's decision to continue to use 'Gulf of Mexico is 'not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press' commitment to misinformation.'
A federal judge ordered Donald Trump's (pictured right) White House on Tuesday to restore The Associated Press' full access to cover presidential events after they were banned for refusing to say 'Gulf of America'
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned reporters that if they 'lie' about President Donald Trump's administration they will face the consequences
'We are gratified by the court's decision,' said AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton.
'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 U.S. Constitution.'
DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House for comment.
The news organization had asked McFadden to rule that Trump had violated AP´s constitutional right to free speech by taking the action because he disagreed with the words that its journalists use.
He had earlier declined AP´s request to reverse the changes through an injunction.
Because of its wide reach, the AP has traditionally always been included in 'pools' for coverage of presidential events in places like the Oval Office or Air Force One.
McFadden cautioned that his ruling does not necessarily herald a return to those days.
'The Court does not order the government to grant the AP permanent access to the Oval Office, the East Room or any other media event,' he wrote.
U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, a Trump appointee, ruled that the government can't retaliate against the AP´s decision not to follow the president´s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico
AP White House reporter Darlene Superville is told by a Trump staff person that she is not allowed to board Air Force One
'It does not bestow special treatment upon the AP. Indeed, the AP is not necessarily entitled to the `first in line every time´ permanent press pool access it enjoyed under the (White House Correspondents Association). But it cannot be treated worse than its peer wire service either.'
The judge said that his decision does not prohibit a government official from choosing which outlets to give interviews to, or choosing which journalists´ questions they choose to answer at a news conference.
Trump briefly spoke about the ban shortly after, saying that the wire service was treating him poorly.
'They're doing us no favors and I guess I'm not doing them any favors - that's the way life works,' he quipped on Tuesday.
During an executive order signing event at Mar-a-Lago, Trump was asked what it would take for him to reconsider the controversial ban.
Trump complained to reporters that the AP 'refuses to go with what the law is and what is taking place.'
'It's called the Gulf of America now. It's not called the Gulf of Mexico any longer,' Trump said. 'I have the right to do it.'
The president mentioned his effort to again name the Alaska peak Mount McKinley after it was changed to Denali - the name used by native Alaskans - during the Obama years.
AP photographer Ben Curtis (center) stands on the tarmac after being told by a Trump staff person that he is not allowed to board Air Force One
The AP has been blocked since Feb. 11 from being among the small group of journalists to cover Trump in the Oval Office or aboard Air Force One , with sporadic ability to cover him at events in East Room
Trump pointed out that nobody was 'challenging' that name change.
'I just say that we're going to keep them out until such time that they agree that it's the Gulf of America,' he said of the AP ban.
'We're very proud of this country, we want it to be the Gulf of America,' the president added.
While there was little dispute in a March 27 court hearing about why Trump struck back at the AP - the president said as much - the administration said it was up to its own discretion, and not White House correspondents or longstanding tradition, to determine who gets to question the president and when.
Since the dispute with AP began, the White House has taken steps to control who gets to cover the president at smaller events and even where journalists sit during Leavitt´s briefings, saying both need to better reflect changes in how people get information.
'In short, new media has benefited at AP´s expense under the new management,' McFadden wrote in his decision. 'Little else has changed.'
The AP´s decisions on what terminology to use are followed by journalists and other writers around the world through its influential stylebook.
The outlet said it would continue to use Gulf of Mexico, as the body of water has been known for hundreds of years, while also noting Trump´s decision to rename it the Gulf of America.
Different outlets have used different approaches, some skirting it by calling it the 'Gulf.'
As a service whose product is delivered to thousands of newspapers, websites and broadcasters across the nation and world, the AP has been part of small text and photo "pools" that have covered presidents of both parties for decades.
The administration has sought to give more prominence to new - and in many cases, Trump-friendly - outlets.
In its action filed on Feb. 21, the AP sued Leavitt, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich.
Trump has moved aggressively against the media on several fronts since taking office again.
The Federal Communications Commission has open lawsuits against ABC, CBS and NBC News.
The administration has sought to cut off funding for government-run news services like Voice of America and is threatening public funding for public broadcasters PBS and NPR for allegedly being too liberal in news coverage.
