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The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced plans to appeal a federal court ruling that ordered the restoration of Associated Press (AP) access to White House events.
On Wednesday, the US Attorney’s Office confirmed it had filed the appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The move comes after a judge ruled in favour of AP, which had accused the Trump administration of barring its journalists from official engagements in retaliation for not adhering to the president’s preferred terminology.
Since mid-February, AP reporters and photographers have been excluded from events including access to the Oval Office and travel aboard Air Force One. The ban followed the news agency’s decision to continue referring to the “Gulf of Mexico”, rather than adopting the name “Gulf of America” – a rebranding pushed by Trump.
US District Judge Trevor McFadden, presiding over the case, ruled on Tuesday that excluding AP based on its editorial stance amounted to a violation of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of the press. “If the Government opens its doors to some journalists… it cannot then shut those doors to others because of their viewpoints,” McFadden said.
He ordered the immediate reversal of the ban on AP, requiring the White House to grant the agency equal access to press areas such as the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other spaces when they are accessible to the rest of the press pool. However, he granted a five-day delay on the implementation of the order to allow the administration time to respond or appeal.
AP spokesperson Lauren Easton welcomed the ruling, calling it a strong affirmation of journalistic freedom. “Today’s decision confirms the right of the press and public to speak freely without fear of government retaliation,” she said.
In its editorial guidelines, the AP stated that “Gulf of Mexico” has been the established name for over 400 years and that it would continue to use it in its reporting, while acknowledging President Trump’s alternative naming.
“As a global news agency with an international audience, it is essential that we use terminology that is clear and recognisable to readers everywhere,” the agency added.
Founded over 180 years ago, the Associated Press is a leading news organisation providing content to newspapers, broadcasters, and digital platforms worldwide.
