Judge Orders White House to Restore Associated Press Media Access

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge ordered the White House on Tuesday to restore The Associated Press’ media access after it was barred from covering presidential events Feb. 11.

“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,” U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden wrote. “The Constitution requires no less.”

The AP has been blocked from being among the small group of journalists to cover President Donald Trump in the Oval Office or on Air Force One since shortly after they refused to acknowledge Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

That decision followed years of dishonest and biased reporting on Trump and Republicans in general.

In a statement on X in February, deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich stated the AP’s decision “is not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation.”

“While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One,” Budowich wrote. “Going forward, that space will now be opened up to the many thousands of reporters who have been barred from covering these intimate areas of the administration.”

AP journalists have retained credentials to the White House grounds.

Tuesday’s decision was a preliminary injunction. McFadden held off on implementing his order for a week, giving the government time to respond or appeal. 

“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.”

The Federal Communications Commission has open lawsuits against ABC, CBS and NBC News, and Trump has also discussed cutting off funding for government-run news services like Voice of America and public broadcasters like PBS and NPR for their slanted coverage of politics.