A federal judge on Monday denied the Associated Press’s request to restore full access to its journalists after the Trump administration barred them from covering events in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One.
The decision stems from the news agency’s continued use of the term “Gulf of Mexico” in its coverage, which the administration has opposed.
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, declined to grant the AP’s request for a temporary injunction during a hearing in Washington federal court. The ruling leaves the news agency without access to key presidential events.
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The AP filed a lawsuit on Friday against three senior Trump aides, arguing that the administration’s decision to block its reporters violates the First Amendment’s protections against government interference with freedom of the press.
The news agency contends that the administration is attempting to dictate the language used in its reporting, setting a dangerous precedent for journalistic independence.
In a statement, the White House defended its actions, asserting that access to the president is a privilege, not a right. “As we have said from the beginning, asking the President of the United States questions in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One is a privilege granted to journalists, not a legal right,” the statement read.
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The administration accused the AP of spreading “fake news” and reiterated its commitment to transparency.
“We stand by our decision to hold the Fake News accountable for their lies, and President Trump will continue to grant an unprecedented level of access to the press. This is the most transparent Administration in history,” the statement added.
This is a developing story.
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