A lawsuit was filed on Friday by the Associated Press against three officials from the Trump administration regarding access to presidential events. The AP cites free speech rights in requesting a federal judge to put a stop to the restrictions placed on its journalists. In response, the White House press secretary stated, “We’ll see them in court.”
The legal action commenced in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., exactly ten days after the White House had imposed limitations on the news agency’s access. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, who was appointed by Trump.
The AP claims that the White House is making unconstitutional efforts to control speech, particularly referencing a recent executive order by President Trump that altered the designation of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” The news agency’s lawsuit emphasizes that both the press and the citizens of the U.S. are entitled to choose their own words without fear of government retaliation. The lawsuit lists White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as defendants.
The AP argues that this deliberate action undermines its editorial independence and ability to report on the news, challenging the very foundation of the First Amendment, which ensures freedom of speech, press, and religion while preventing the government from interference.
Leavitt mentioned she became aware of the lawsuit while on her way to a Conservative Political Action Conference appearance. Expressing her determination, she stated that she wanted to clarify with the White House legal team what she could say publicly, affirming the position the administration holds as being justifiable. She insisted on maintaining truth and accuracy in White House communications.
President Trump has made direct references to the AP’s editorial decisions regarding their reluctance to adopt the president’s terminology concerning the Gulf. In a statement made earlier this week, he declared that the agency would be barred from attending press events until they recognized the Gulf as the “Gulf of America.”
In light of these events, approximately 40 news organizations have backed the Associated Press by signing a letter, organized by the White House Correspondents Association, urging the administration to retract its policy against the AP. These organizations included well-known outlets like Fox News and Newsmax, whose commentators often express support for Trump. Newsmax voiced its understanding of Trump’s frustrations but underscored the need for AP’s rights to report using the language of their choice without fear of retaliation.
While AP journalists remain allowed on White House premises, they have been excluded from the press pool that covers events in smaller venues and provides reports to fellow journalists and the public. The agency has been part of the White House pool for over a century. According to the lawsuit, AP has made numerous attempts to communicate to the administration that its actions are unlawful. Julie Pace, AP’s senior vice president and executive editor, even traveled to Florida seeking a resolution with Wiles.
A significant point of contention arises from the AP Stylebook, which is noted as an influential reference for journalists, scholars, and students across the nation. In an email, Wiles informed the AP that the organization had been targeted because the Stylebook is held in high regard, and the administration hoped the name change would be incorporated into it.
The AP has stated that, while it would continue to recognize the Gulf of Mexico, media outlets should also take note of the president’s directive. In line with this, Trump signed an executive order that favored the name Mount McKinley over Denali for the nation’s tallest mountain, which the AP agreed to include in its Stylebook.
Wiles expressed concern about how the Stylebook had been “misused” and occasionally “weaponized” for partisan uses, alleging that it contributed to divisive narratives. Budowich highlighted entries in the Stylebook that have sparked discontent among conservatives, including guidelines around terms concerning race and immigration.
In a Fox News interview, Trump referred to the Associated Press as “radical left lunatics,” labeling the organization as a “third-rate outfit with a first-rate name.” He noted that most people accepted the Gulf of America designation while asserting that the AP was exploiting the situation. Other news outlets have had varying responses, with The New York Times and Washington Post continuing to use the Gulf of Mexico title, whereas Fox News has adopted Trump’s terminology. Furthermore, Google Maps is now integrating “Gulf of America” into its service for users in the U.S.
