Wed Apr 16 13:10:00 UTC 2025: ## White House Restricts Access for Major News Agencies After Court Loss
**WASHINGTON, April 16, 2025** – The White House implemented a new media policy on Tuesday that significantly restricts access to President Donald Trump for major wire services, including the Associated Press (AP), following a recent court loss. The move is the latest in a series of attempts by the administration to control its media coverage.
The new policy severely limits the presence of AP, Reuters, and Bloomberg at events in small spaces like the Oval Office and Air Force One. These wire services, which distribute news to thousands of outlets globally, will now compete with dozens of print reporters for only two slots in the White House press pool. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, will retain final say over who participates.
This action comes after a federal judge ruled last week that the White House illegally punished the AP for refusing to rename the Gulf of Mexico, a decision the administration had deemed unacceptable. Despite the court order to restore AP’s access, the White House defied the ruling for a day before unveiling the new, restrictive policy.
The AP expressed deep disappointment, stating the new policy disregards fundamental American freedoms. The White House Correspondents’ Association also criticized the move, highlighting the administration’s unwillingness to guarantee an end to viewpoint discrimination.
The administration’s argument centers on the assertion that press access is a privilege, not a right, and that the White House should control who covers the president. They have appealed the judge’s ruling and seek to have it stayed pending a higher court decision. While briefings by Press Secretary Leavitt remain accessible to the AP, access to other events has been significantly curtailed. The new policy does not address access for photographers.
First Piper 