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By Gabe Whisnant and Anna Commander
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A U.S. judge on Tuesday ordered President Donald Trump's White House to lift access restrictions placed on the Associated Press (AP) after the news agency continued using the term "Gulf of Mexico" in its reporting.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email Tuesday for comment.
Why It Matters
After Trump's executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, the AP said it would not abide by the change since the body of water "has carried that name for more than 400 years." The back and forth then sparked a legal battle between the White House and the news organization lasting weeks.
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U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, called out the Trump administration on Tuesday for "brazen" actions limiting the AP from certain briefings or access to events.
"The Constitution forbids viewpoint discrimination, even in a nonpublic forum like the Oval Office," the order read in part while noting First Amendment concerns.
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What To Know
McFadden ruled that the AP's journalists must be granted access to the Oval Office, Air Force One and White House events while the outlet's lawsuit against the administration proceeds.
The order also states that the White House must "rescind their viewpoint-based denial of the AP's access to events open to all credentialed White House journalists." The ruling remains in effect until any additional order by the court.
"We are gratified by the court's decision," the AP said in a statement posted by CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday. "Today's ruling affirms the fundamental right of the press and public to speak freely without government retaliation. This is a freedom guaranteed for all Americans in the U.S. Constitution."
What People Are Saying
Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression in an email to Newsweek on Tuesday: "This decision is a clear victory for press freedom. The court held tight to the basic First Amendment principle that the government can't punish journalists just because it doesn't like their views or reporting. The AP is free to use its own stylebook — no pre-approval from the White House required."
Newsmax host Todd Starnes on X on Tuesday: "A federal judge says President Trump must reinstate Associated Press access to the White House. That doesn't mean they're going to get called on for any questions. AP is nothing more than Associated Propaganda."
What Happens Next
The order said the White House needs to "immediately rescind the denial of the AP's access."
Update 4/8/25, 5:54 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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