The Associated Press has filed a lawsuit against three officials of the Trump administration, accusing them of violating freedom of speech by restricting the agency’s access to presidential events. The dispute arose after the AP refused to use the term “American Gulf” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.”
On 21 February, the Associated Press submitted its lawsuit, claiming that the White House’s actions constitute an unconstitutional attempt to control journalistic freedom. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, who was appointed by Donald Trump. The agency demands the restoration of its journalists’ access to government events.
The Trump administration began limiting AP’s access ten days before the lawsuit was filed. While the agency can still enter the White House, it has been excluded from the press pool covering presidential activities. Despite repeated efforts to negotiate, the administration has refused to change its stance.
The lawsuit names White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budovich, and Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt as the officials responsible for restricting AP’s access. The legal filing states, “The press and all people in the United States have a right to choose their own words and not be repressed by the government.”
In support of the AP, about 40 news organizations, including Fox News and Newsmax, have signed a letter urging the White House to reverse its decision. The controversy follows Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, a move aimed at emphasizing the region’s significance in US history and economy.
