Federal Judge Orders White House to Restore AP's Access to Presidential Events
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden ruled that the White House cannot block The Associated Press from covering presidential events based on content disagreements.
McFadden found that the AP had indeed been “excluded from large events far more often than its peers,” although it was sometimes allowed to have a photographer, or a journalist from one of its overseas branches, present.
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The dispute arose when the AP refused to adopt the administration's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" in its coverage, following an executive order by President Donald Trump.
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The Trump administration's treatment of the AP is just part of a growing war against the U.S. news media.
Judge orders White House to allow AP access to news events
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While Trump has not publicly commented on the ruling, AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton told the outlet that they are “gratified by the court’s decision.”
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The Constitution requires no less….
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McFadden found that AP reporters have been "systematically banned" from White House events that the broader press corps has been able to attend since Feb. 13, resulting in an "erosion of quality and capability" of the news outlet's reporting, and leaving the agency with a product that is "a shadow of its former self."
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The White House had "sharply curtailed" the wire service's access to media events with Trump in mid-February after the president renamed the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" and the AP did not reflect that change in its references to that body of water, McFadden noted in his ruling.
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The White House “sharply curtailed” the AP’s access to media events with the US president after he renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” and the news agency did not follow suit, McFadden wrote in a 41-page decision.
Judge orders Trump White House to lift access restrictions on Associated Press
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The judge went on to say that his ruling means that “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.”
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The court found no other plausible reason for the AP’s exclusion.
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The ruling, which was issued nearly two weeks after a veteran AP photographer and its chief White House correspondent testified about the damage the ban has done to the outlet, makes clear the administration’s retaliatory actions “have poisoned the AP’s business model” and caused it irreparable harm.
Federal judge says White House’s punishment of Associated Press is unconstitutional | Politics
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The lawsuit is a high-profile test of whether the Trump administration – which faces lawsuits over attempts to make major law firms bend to its will – can pressure media organizations to do so.
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The court ruled Tuesday that although the White House is not mandated to provide access to every event, it does have the responsibility to allow journalists the same access as similar outlets — even if they disagree with their views.
Trump-appointed judge sides with Associated Press in battle over White House access
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Summary
A federal judge has ruled that the White House's decision to bar The Associated Press from covering presidential events is unconstitutional under the First Amendment. The ruling stems from the AP's refusal to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, as mandated by an executive order from President Trump. This decision is seen as a significant legal victory for press freedom, affirming that the government cannot retaliate against journalism based on viewpoints. Judge McFadden's order pauses implementation for a week to allow for government appeal.
Perspectives
A federal judge ruled that the White House must restore full access for the Associated Press (AP) to presidential events, affirming that the government cannot restrict press access based on viewpoint discrimination.
The ruling is a significant victory for press freedom, underscoring the importance of the First Amendment and the right for journalists to report without government retaliation over editorial choices.
Despite the ruling, the judge clarified that while the AP must be treated equally to other news outlets, it does not guarantee permanent access to any specific media events.
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