White House Limits AP Access to Oval Office and Air Force One During Gulf of America Naming Controversy

February 14, 2025 TruthUSA

The Associated Press is experiencing new limitations on its access to the White House due to a disagreement surrounding the terminology used in reports, specifically the choice between ‘Gulf of Mexico’ and ‘Gulf of America.’

The White House has implemented fresh restrictions on Associated Press reporters’ access to both the Oval Office and Air Force One, referencing a protracted dispute over the AP’s refusal to adopt the administration’s designation for the body of water previously known as the Gulf of Mexico, which has been renamed the Gulf of America.

“The Associated Press continues to disregard the lawful geographic name change to Gulf of America,” stated White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich in a social media statement on February 14.

“This decision is not merely divisive; it highlights the AP’s commitment to disseminating misinformation. Although their right to engage in irresponsible and dishonest reporting falls under First Amendment protections, this does not guarantee them unrestricted access to exclusive areas such as the Oval Office and Air Force One.”

Budowich clarified that while AP journalists and photographers would retain their credentials for the White House complex, they would face limitations regarding access to the Oval Office and Air Force One. He also pointed out that “the thousands of journalists who have been excluded from these exclusive zones will now have a chance for access.”

This new policy from the White House follows heightened tensions after the AP issued guidance on January 23 regarding President Donald Trump’s executive order changing the Gulf of Mexico’s name to the Gulf of America. The AP affirmed it would continue to use the original name while acknowledging Trump’s newly assigned title, reasoning that the executive order’s jurisdiction is limited to the United States and that AP, as a global news organization, aims to ensure that geographical names are recognizable to all audiences. The administration criticized this stance, alleging it intentionally undermines the official designation.

As of this week, AP reporters and photographers have been barred from several White House events, including two on Tuesday—one in the Oval Office and another in the Diplomatic Reception Room—following their refusal to modify their style guidelines.

AP Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Julie Pace condemned these restrictions, labeling them an unacceptable infringement on free speech.

“It’s troubling that the Trump administration would retaliate against AP for its independent journalism,” Pace remarked in a statement. “Restricting our access to the Oval Office based on the content of AP’s reporting not only significantly hampers public access to independent news but also blatantly violates the First Amendment.”

In a press briefing on February 12, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s position, stating it is a fact that the body of water off Louisiana’s coast is named the Gulf of America and questioned why media outlets resist using that name.

Leavitt emphasized that access to White House spaces is a “privilege,” adding, “If we believe there are falsehoods being promoted by outlets in this room, we will not hesitate to hold those accountable.”

The contention escalated even more on Thursday when an AP journalist was barred from attending a news conference with Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Eugene Daniels, the president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, released a statement supporting the AP.

“The White House is attempting to restrict the press freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and has openly admitted to limiting access to punish a news organization for not supporting the government’s preferred language,” Daniels stated in a statement. “Denying journalists access due to their editorial choices amounts to viewpoint discrimination.

“This represents a clear violation not only of the First Amendment but also of the president’s own executive order relating to free speech and the cessation of federal censorship. We reiterate our call for the White House to swiftly reverse its decision and restore access for AP journalists.”

When asked for comments regarding Daniels’s allegations, the White House referred to Budowich’s statement emphasizing the AP’s freedom to report unencumbered but reiterated that the Trump administration is not obliged to grant access to restricted areas, labeling it a “privilege.”

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