Judge Reinstates AP News’ White House Access After Network’s “Gulf of America” Naming Controversy – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
11:51 AM – Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A federal judge has determined that the Trump administration is required to restore the Associated Press access to the White House, following the network’s exclusion due to its refusal to accept the Gulf of America name change.
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U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden issued the ruling on Tuesday, reinstating the AP’s access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other areas typically available to press members.
“This injunction does not restrict the many valid reasons the Government may have for excluding reporters from limited-access events. It does not require that all qualified journalists, or any journalists at all, be granted access to the President or private government areas,” McFadden stated.
“It does not prevent government officials from deciding which journalists to interview or whose questions they will address. And it certainly does not stop senior officials from publicly sharing their own opinions,” he continued.
“Ultimately, the Court concludes that under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to certain journalists—regardless of whether it’s for the Oval Office, the East Room, or other areas—it cannot subsequently close those doors to others based on their viewpoints,” McFadden remarked. “The Constitution mandates no less.”
The judge’s decision comes after the Associated Press was denied White House access because the outlet declined to acknowledge the Gulf of America name change in February. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed, “It is a fact that the body of water off the coast of Louisiana is called the Gulf of America, and I’m not sure why news outlets don’t want to refer to it as such.”
“No one has the right to enter the Oval Office and pose questions to the president of the United States,” Leavitt asserted. “We maintain the authority to determine who can enter the Oval Office.”
In response, Julie Pace, the senior vice president of the Associated Press, criticized the Trump administration for its actions, claiming they were punishing the organization for the “content of its speech.”
“It is a fundamental principle of the First Amendment that the government cannot retaliate against the public or the press for their expressions,” Pace stated.
The ruling is scheduled to take effect on April 13th, giving the Trump administration ample time to appeal the decision.
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