AP Journalists Denied Access to Oval Office Despite Court Order

Recently, the Associated Press revealed that its reporters were denied entry to an Oval Office event featuring President Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, despite a federal judge's ruling requiring the White House to restore AP's access. An AP spokesperson clarified that their journalists were effectively blocked from the Oval Office on Monday, despite the order relaxing restrictions that prevented AP journalists from participating in key events, including those on Air Force One and other locations with limited space.

Additionally, the AP highlighted an instance where one of its reporters was not allowed to attend a South Lawn event celebrating Ohio State University's football championship, although two AP photographers were granted access. Last week, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden ruled against the White House's decision to exclude AP journalists from press events over the agency's refusal to adopt the term "Gulf of America," instead of "Gulf of Mexico," in its Stylebook. This ruling came after the White House, through the Trump administration's appeal, sought to overturn the judge's decision to allow AP reporters back into press events.

The AP spokesperson expressed expectations that the White House would comply with the ruling by restoring its journalists' access. However, the White House did not respond to requests for comment. The AP's legal battle began after it received notification in February that it would be excluded from key areas, including the Oval Office and Air Force One, unless it changed its Stylebook. The Stylebook serves as an essential reference for media outlets, detailing everything from state abbreviations to terminology used in various sports.

Despite being barred from the press pool, AP reporters claimed they were also shut out from larger events accessible to other reporters. Following Trump's executive order in January that changed the name of the Gulf, the AP asserted its commitment to maintaining universally recognizable geographical names as an international news source. Judge McFadden pointed out that excluding the AP based on its editorial decisions likely violated the First Amendment.

He affirmed that while he did not enforce permanent access for the AP, it should not be treated less favorably than other wire services. The court ordered that the AP deserves fair access to press events without discrimination based on editorial choices, allowing them to be on a level playing field with likeminded outlets. Typically, the AP holds key spots within the White House press pool that provides coverage of the president's daily engagements. The White House Correspondents' Association historically managed this pool's composition, but recent shifts have placed that authority directly in the hands of the White House.