In a sharply worded rebuke delivered from his courtroom on Constitution Avenue, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden ruled Tuesday that the White House acted unconstitutionally when it stripped The Associated Press of access to President Donald Trump&rsquo;s events, including the Oval Office and Air Force One. The ruling, handed down as a preliminary injunction, marks a significant legal blow to the Trump administration&rsquo;s efforts to sideline the global news agency over coverage it deemed unfavourable.
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From the bench of Courtroom 19, Judge McFadden&mdash;himself a Trump appointee&mdash;laid bare the administration&rsquo;s retaliatory motivations, declaring that the government's actions constituted unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination, even within traditionally restricted venues like the Oval Office.
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&nbsp;"The Government offers no other plausible explanation for its treatment of the AP," McFadden stated in his 41-page opinion, which this correspondent obtained minutes after court adjourned. "The Constitution forbids viewpoint discrimination, even in a non-public forum like the Oval Office."
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The case stems from the Trump administration's controversial decision earlier this year to bar the AP from press pool coverage and limited-access events. At the heart of the dispute lies the AP's continued use of the term &ldquo;Gulf of Mexico,&rdquo; following President Trump&rsquo;s unilateral renaming of the body of water to the &ldquo;Gulf of America.&rdquo; The administration&rsquo;s move to punish the wire service for defying this linguistic edict triggered a legal challenge that culminated in Tuesday&rsquo;s ruling.
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&nbsp;&ldquo;The AP seeks restored eligibility for admission to the press pool and limited-access press events, untainted by an impermissible viewpoint-based exclusion,&rdquo; McFadden wrote. &ldquo;That is all the Court orders today: For the Government to put the AP on an equal playing field as similarly situated outlets, despite the AP&rsquo;s use of disfavoured terminology.&rdquo;
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While the court found in favour of the AP on constitutional grounds, it stopped short of immediately reinstating the agency's access. Instead, Judge McFadden issued a one-week stay on his injunction, allowing the White House time to file an appeal&mdash;a procedural grace that nonetheless underscores the legal weight of his decision.
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&nbsp;&ldquo;The Court merely declares that the AP&rsquo;s exclusion has been contrary to the First Amendment, and it enjoins the Government from continuing down that unlawful path,&rdquo; he added, pausing deliberately before delivering that line, which landed with visible impact in the packed courtroom.
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Reaction from the press was swift. Outside the courthouse, Lauren Easton, spokesperson for the Associated Press, welcomed the ruling with restrained vindication.
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&nbsp;&ldquo;Today&rsquo;s ruling affirms the fundamental right of the press and public to speak freely without government retaliation,&rdquo; Easton said in a prepared statement. &ldquo;We look forward to continuing to provide factual, nonpartisan and independent coverage of the White House for billions of people around the world.&rdquo;
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Judge McFadden was careful to clarify that his ruling does not grant the AP unlimited access or special privileges. The administration may still limit press access for legally valid, content-neutral reasons.
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&ldquo;The Court does not order the Government to grant the AP permanent access to the Oval Office, the East Room, or any other media event. It does not bestow special treatment upon the AP,&rdquo; McFadden wrote. &ldquo;But it cannot be treated worse than its peer wire services either.&rdquo;
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With one week now ticking for the White House to appeal, the stage is set for what could become a landmark test of press freedom in the post-Trump era. For now, the judiciary has issued a stark reminder that even within the corridors of executive power, constitutional protections still carry weight&mdash;and consequence.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

Judge defends press and public’s fundamental right to speak freely without retaliation

Court: AP Ban Illegal, No Immediate Access Restored

Judge defends press and public’s fundamental right to speak freely without retaliation

April 9, 2025 | 07:42 IST