Wed Apr 09 17:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Judge Orders White House to Restore AP’s Access After First Amendment Ruling
**Washington, D.C.** – A federal judge has ordered the White House to reinstate the Associated Press’s full access to presidential events, citing a violation of the First Amendment. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruled that the government cannot retaliate against the AP for its refusal to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
The preliminary injunction marks a significant victory for the AP, which had been blocked since February from covering events in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, and at certain East Room appearances. The White House’s actions stemmed from a disagreement over the AP’s continued use of “Gulf of Mexico” despite the president’s decree.
Judge McFadden’s ruling explicitly states that while the government can choose which journalists to interview or whose questions to answer, it cannot exclude news organizations based on their editorial choices. “The Constitution forbids viewpoint discrimination,” he wrote.
The White House has been accused of broader attacks on the press, including ongoing lawsuits against major television networks and threats to defund public broadcasters. The AP’s lawsuit named White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich. While Leavitt has not yet commented, the AP expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of press freedom.
Although the ruling doesn’t guarantee the AP the same level of access it previously enjoyed, it prevents the administration from treating the news agency less favorably than its competitors. The judge granted the White House a week to respond or appeal the decision. However, shortly after the ruling, an AP reporter and photographer were reportedly denied access to a presidential motorcade, raising questions about the immediate implementation of the order.
Legal experts lauded the decision as a strong defense of free speech. The Knight First Amendment Institute and prominent First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams praised the ruling, emphasizing the historical precedent and importance of protecting the press from government censorship. The AP maintains that the case is about more than just the name of a body of water; it’s about the government’s ability to control the narrative. The White House, however, argued it had the discretion to decide who covers the president.
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