A legal battle is underway between the Associated Press and the Trump administration over the White House’s decision to bar AP journalists from key presidential events. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, DC, argues that the administration violated the First Amendment by limiting media access over editorial choices.
The suit names White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as defendants. The AP contends that its removal from Oval Office briefings and Air Force One trips was punishment for refusing to use the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.”
FREE PRESS: Based on the arguments made by the AP in its lawsuit against the White House, RT and Pravda have the same right to be in the Oval Office as the AP. For that matter so do I, should I sue? pic.twitter.com/zYJaOqgtm5
— @amuse (@amuse) February 22, 2025
Leavitt had previously warned that outlets pushing “falsehoods” would be held accountable, while Budowich defended the policy by calling AP’s stance an attempt to resist lawful changes. The administration has maintained that other news organizations will now have greater access to spaces previously limited to elite outlets.
Though AP reporters still hold general press credentials, the lawsuit argues that their exclusion from presidential events restricts the news organization’s ability to cover major developments. The AP is asking the court to order the White House to restore access.
Associated Press sues White House officials in bid to regain access to press pool https://t.co/xt9IfhIGW6
— WSJ Business News (@WSJbusiness) February 21, 2025
The case is expected to draw significant attention, as it raises fundamental questions about the limits of government control over media coverage.
