The Associated Press has filed a lawsuit against three White House officials after its reporters were barred from covering events at the White House and from traveling on Air Force One. This action follows President Donald Trump’s discontent with the AP’s reference to the “Gulf of America” in its style guide. In a lawsuit submitted on Friday in a Washington federal court, the AP requested an emergency hearing and a court order to declare the ban unconstitutional, seeking to restore access for its journalists. The AP’s complaint states that the White House’s ongoing denial of access was based on the content and perceived bias of the AP’s reporting, which constitutes unlawful retaliation.
The Associated Press is a longstanding member of the “pool” that provides continuous coverage of the president. Reports from AP journalists in the pool are disseminated in newspapers and online globally. However, last week, the White House prohibited AP print reporters from attending pooled events, referencing a style guide note that emphasized the historical name of the Gulf of Mexico and the organization’s commitment to using it while acknowledging the name chosen by Trump. White House officials pointed out that this style guide is also used by other news organizations, including Bloomberg News, and by various non-media entities. The AP declined to change its guide, leading the White House to extend the ban to the service’s photographers and radio reporters, as well as denying access to Air Force One.
In a radio interview with Fox News, Trump criticized the AP, claiming they were trying to be “cute” and lamented the lack of favorable coverage from the organization over the past decade. The AP’s lawsuit argues that the White House has infringed upon First Amendment protections for the press and violated due process rights under the Fifth Amendment. The suit names White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich as defendants in their official roles. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee. Other major media organizations have also expressed concern over the White House’s actions, stating that it sets a troubling precedent that could affect all journalists covering the president. Even traditionally conservative outlets like Fox News and Newsmax have joined in the protest, highlighting the potential for exclusion from future coverage opportunities.