Judge rejects AP’s plea to restore White House access

A federal judge has denied the Associated Press or AP an emergency order to regain access to presidential events.

The White House banned the United States’ oldest news agency after it refused to use “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico” in its reports.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order to rename the gulf shortly after his term began last month. 

Judge Trevor McFadden, who was appointed by Trump, ruled the AP failed to show that banning it from the White House would cause “irreparable harm”

However, he did call the ban “discriminatory” and “problematic.”

A further hearing is set for March 20.

The White House welcomed the decision, saying access to the president is a privilege, not a legal right.

It insists it remains committed to transparency while holding what it calls “Fake News” accountable.

AP argues the ban violates the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

It also stands by its decision to use the Gulf of Mexico in its coverage, saying Trump’s executive order cannot dictate international terminology.