Court Orders AP Access to Presidential Events Restored

Federal District Court Judge Trevor McFadden ordered access to Presidential and White House events as well as Air Force One restored for the Associated Press.

The White House blocked access for AP, which is a longstanding major member of the White House press corps, over AP’s refusal to change its global style guide in accordance with Donald Trump’s wishes to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

In February, McFadden declined to provide immediate relief for AP. However, after full consideration, McFadden’s ruling included:

“The Court simply holds that under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists — be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere — it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints. The Constitution requires no less.”

McFadden paused implementation of his ruling until Sunday, giving the government time to file an appeal. He was appointed by Trump during his first term in office.

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