U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, appointed by Trump during his first term, ordered the White House to allow AP journalists access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and events held at the White House while the lawsuit is ongoing.
The White House began restricting AP access to a number of events involving Trump after the news agency stated that it would continue to use the name Gulf of Mexico following Trump's order to change the body of water's name to American Gulf. The agency explained why it uses the old name of the gulf, renamed by Trump: this body of water shares borders between the U.S. and Mexico, the president's order is only valid within the United States, Mexico, as well as other countries and international organizations are not required to recognize the name change. And a global news agency cannot use only the American name.
“The court believes that under the First Amendment, if the government opens doors for some journalists—be it the Oval Office, the East Room, or another place—it cannot then close those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoint,” wrote McFadden in his ruling, noting that it will take effect on Sunday. The judge also pointed out that “American Gulf” is merely a domestic term not recognized by other countries or international organizations.
“Today's decision reaffirms the fundamental right of the press and the public to freely express their opinions without fear of government retaliation,” said AP spokesperson Lauren Easton in a statement.
Brian Hudak, a Justice Department attorney representing Trump officials, stated that the White House has the right to keep AP journalists out of the president's personal and working space, and accused the agency of “refusing to adhere to what the president considers the law of the United States” in its editorial decisions.
AP journalists were banned from joining the White House press pool, which covers events in the Oval Office and travels with the president. According to the news agency's complaint, AP was also not allowed to attend major events at the White House that were open to other reporters.
The AP agency, founded in 1846, states on its website that it operates from nearly 250 locations in almost 100 countries. The restrictions prevent AP journalists from seeing and hearing Trump and other senior White House officials as they take important actions or respond to news events in real-time.