Judge Declines AP's Request to Restore Access Amid "Gulf of America" Dispute

A U.S. judge has rejected an emergency request by the Associated Press (AP) to regain access to presidential events after the Trump administration barred the agency over its refusal to use the term "Gulf of America."

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, denied the AP’s motion but scheduled another hearing for March 20. The dispute arose after President Donald Trump issued an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico, a change the AP refused to adopt in its reporting.

The news agency argues the ban is retaliatory and violates First Amendment protections on freedom of speech and the press.

White House Stands by AP Ban After Judge Declines Emergency Request

The Trump administration has reaffirmed its decision to bar the Associated Press (AP) from presidential events after a judge declined to immediately restore the news agency’s access.

Last week, President Donald Trump stated he would "keep them out" until they adopted the term "Gulf of America," following his executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico.

In a statement after Monday’s ruling, the White House defended its stance, saying access to the president is "a privilege, not a legal right," and accused the AP of spreading "Fake News." Shortly after, two large electric signs reading "Victory" and "Gulf of America" were displayed in the White House briefing room.

The AP responded by reiterating its commitment to press freedom, stating, "We will continue to stand for the right of the press and the public to speak freely without government retaliation."

The dispute stems from Trump’s January executive order, which the administration claims recognizes the gulf as "an indelible part of America."

AP Stands Firm on "Gulf of Mexico" as White House Maintains Ban

The Associated Press (AP) has reaffirmed its decision to continue using the term "Gulf of Mexico" despite pressure from the Trump administration, which has been restricting the agency’s access to White House events in response.

While AP reporters still have access to the White House grounds, they have been barred from pool coverage—smaller events where a select group of journalists gathers information for wider distribution. The administration has also blocked AP reporters from covering recent trips, including President Trump’s visit to Florida and the Daytona 500.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden declined AP’s request for emergency relief, ruling that the agency was not suffering “irreparable harm” since it could access information from other pool reporters' notes. However, he acknowledged the ban as "discriminatory" and "problematic," according to CNN.

AP’s lawsuit names Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, arguing that the government cannot retaliate against the press for choosing its own language.

Speaking at Mar-a-Lago on February 18, Trump reiterated his stance: “We’re going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it’s the Gulf of America.”

The White House’s actions have drawn widespread criticism, with dozens of media organizations—including conservative outlets like Fox News and NewsMax—signing a letter organized by the White House Correspondents' Association urging the administration to reverse its decision.

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