Associated Press takes legal action against Trump administration, alleging violation of press freedom and First Amendment rights. (AP)

- AP sues Trump officials over access to events, citing First Amendment rights in federal court filing.
- White House blocks AP journalists for refusing to adopt 'Gulf of America' terminology in reporting.
- News organizations rally behind AP, urging White House to reverse policy against the news agency.
Share
The Associated Press sued three Trump administration officials Friday over access to presidential events, citing freedom of speech in asking a federal judge to stop the 10-day blocking of its journalists.
The lawsuit was filed Friday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.
The AP says its case is about an unconstitutional effort by the White House to control speech — in this case refusing to change its style from the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” as President Donald Trump did last month with an executive order.
“The press and all people in the United States have the right to choose their own words and not be retaliated against by the government,” the AP said in its lawsuit, which names White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“This targeted attack on the AP’s editorial independence and ability to gather and report the news strikes at the very core of the First Amendment,” the news agency said. “This court should remedy it immediately.”
Related Story: White House Says It Has the Right to Punish AP Reporters Over Gulf Naming Dispute
Trump’s Retaliation Against AP
In stopping the AP from attending press events at the White House and Mar-a-Lago, or flying on Air Force One in the agency’s customary spot, the Trump team directly cited the AP’s decision not to fully follow the president’s renaming.
“We’re going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it’s the Gulf of America,” Trump said Tuesday.
This week, about 40 news organizations signed onto a letter organized by the White House Correspondents Association, urging the White House to reverse its policy against the AP.
RELATED TOPICS:
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Mario Garcia
12 hours ago
Did Fresno Restaurateur Bobby Salazar Commit Arson? Feds Lay Out Their Case
12 hours ago
Hanford Police Arrest Two Teens After Shootouts Leave 17-Year-Old Wounded
12 hours ago
Israeli Foreign Minister Saar Says There Will Not Be a Palestinian State
13 hours ago
All UN Security Council Members, Except US, Say Famine in Gaza Is ‘Man-Made Crisis’
13 hours ago
Trump’s Tax Bill Expands 0% Capital Gains Eligibility in 2025
14 hours ago
Second-Highest Unemployment Rate Still In California
14 hours ago
Trump Holds Gaza Policy Meeting With Blair and Kushner, White House Official Says
14 hours ago
Israeli Official Accused of Nevada Sex Crime Ordered to Appear in Court via Zoom
11 hours ago
Categories

Israeli Official Accused of Nevada Sex Crime Ordered to Appear in Court via Zoom

US CDC Director Ousted Weeks Into Job

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Mario Garcia

Did Fresno Restaurateur Bobby Salazar Commit Arson? Feds Lay Out Their Case
