The Associated Press has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging restrictions that have blocked its reporters from attending presidential press events. The legal dispute arises from the AP’s refusal to use “Gulf of America” as the White House’s official name for the Gulf of Mexico.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, DC, naming White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. According to the AP, barring its journalists from the Oval Office and Air Force One is an attempt by the administration to control media language.
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
White House officials have defended the decision, arguing that AP has chosen not to recognize a lawful geographic name change. Leavitt previously warned that outlets misrepresenting information would be held accountable, while Budowich labeled AP’s stance as deliberate misinformation.
The White House maintains that AP remains credentialed but has lost its privileges to attend select press events. Officials have framed the decision as an effort to allow other media outlets access to restricted spaces that were previously occupied by AP reporters.
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 AP is seeking a court order to reinstate its access, arguing that restricting certain media organizations based on their editorial decisions is unconstitutional.
The case is expected to draw national attention, as it raises concerns about government influence over journalistic independence.
