Judge Rules White House Must Restore AP Access After First Amendment Violation

The federal court decision mandates the reinstatement of Associated Press journalists to key presidential events, citing unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore the Associated Press's access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other limited-access events after a two-month ban.
The court found the White House's exclusion of the AP violated the First Amendment by penalizing the outlet for refusing to adopt the term 'Gulf of America' in its reporting.
Judge Trevor McFadden ruled that the government cannot deny press access based on editorial viewpoints when such access is granted to other journalists.
The ruling, issued as a preliminary injunction, is set to take effect on April 13, allowing the administration time to appeal the decision.
Press freedom advocates hailed the decision as a significant victory against government retaliation and a reaffirmation of constitutional protections for the media.