Trump wins again.
A recent legal ruling has emerged as a significant victory for the Trump administration in its ongoing dispute with the Associated Press (AP). A federal judge, Trevor McFadden, rejected the AP’s request for a temporary restraining order that would have required the White House to restore the news agency’s access to President Trump. This ruling marks an early win for the administration in a legal battle stemming from the AP’s refusal to modify its style guide, which led to the removal of the agency from the presidential press pool.
Judge McFadden, who was appointed by President Trump, pointed out that the AP’s delayed filing of the lawsuit—more than a week after being excluded from the press pool—indicated there was no “irreparable harm” that justified immediate court intervention. The AP had argued that its First Amendment rights were being violated by being excluded from the president’s events, particularly as part of the daily press pool.
The decision caught many by surprise, as many expected the AP to win the initial ruling. After the court session, a White House spokesperson reinforced the administration’s position that press access to the president is a privilege, not a constitutional right. The White House also reiterated its commitment to holding the media accountable for spreading misinformation. “This is the most transparent administration in history,” the spokesperson declared.
The AP’s exclusion from Trump’s press events stems from the organization’s refusal to change its style guide to align with Trump’s directive to call the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” While the AP maintained its editorial independence, this standoff brought attention to the Trump administration’s broader relationship with the press. Trump himself openly supported the exclusion, saying he would keep the AP out until the news agency agreed to the new terminology.
This case is part of a broader trend of escalating tensions between the White House and certain media outlets. Under previous administrations, press access was similarly restricted. The Obama administration attempted to remove Fox News from the press pool, while the Biden administration imposed its own restrictions, notably barring The Washington Post from White House events for seven months due to its reporting on the president’s alleged involvement in his family’s foreign business dealings.
Despite these ongoing disputes, the Trump administration has consistently argued that it is taking steps to increase press freedom. The White House under President Trump has emphasized the restoration of press access, notably with the reissuance of 400 press badges that had been revoked by the Biden administration. Additionally, the administration introduced a new briefing room seat for social media influencers and independent journalists, demonstrating a continued push to expand the diversity of voices in the press.
Ultimately, this legal fight underscores the complex relationship between the media and the presidency, as well as the ongoing challenges in balancing press freedoms with accountability.