White House bans HuffPost

The Trump administration has taken control of the White House press pool, resulting in the removal of HuffPost, Reuters, and the Associated Press (AP) from coverage of presidential events. This decision followed AP's refusal to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America,' a name imposed by President Trump, leading to ongoing disputes over press access. A federal judge denied AP's request for immediate access, stating they did not demonstrate 'irreparable harm' but hinted that the administration's targeting of a specific news organization could be problematic. The judge emphasized that legal precedents favor press access, advising the White House to reconsider its stance. The administration defended its actions, claiming that press access is a privilege, not a right. A hearing for a preliminary injunction regarding AP's access is scheduled for March 20, amid broader concerns about press freedom and the public's right to information.