Jessica Yellin Instagram – Good news for the Associated Press (and freedom of the press). A federal judge has ordered the White House must reinstate full access for AP to cover presidential events including on White House grounds.
AP says this affirms “on First Amendment grounds that the government cannot punish the news organization for the content of its speech”.
Trump banned AP from reporting in the White House press pool and at some limited press events, after the AP refused to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. They’ve been blocked since February 11.
Judge Trevor N. McFadden held off making his ruling immediate – giving time for the government to respond or appeal. It is worth noting Judge McFadden is an appointee of President Trump.
The White House has taken steps to exert more control over who gets to cover Trump, including where reporters get to sit during press secretary briefings and interviews. The Trump administration has also taken an aggressive stance towards media – most recently, threatening funding for public broadcasters NPR and PBS.
It’s worth noting: the @apnews kept up its thorough, fair and serious reporting even after they were booted from the pool. | Posted on 09/Apr/2025 04:08:04
