Court Considers Trump Administration's Exclusion of AP from White House Access

A federal appeals court is weighing whether the Trump administration unlawfully excluded the Associated Press (AP) from White House press events after the AP refused to use the administration’s preferred term 'Gulf of America' instead of 'Gulf of Mexico.' A lower court ruled the exclusion was unconstitutional retaliation for editorial decisions, but the Trump administration argues that the president has broad discretion to control access to spaces like the Oval Office and Air Force One. During hearings, some judges expressed skepticism about the administration's position, noting the historical role of press pools in holding the presidency accountable and questioning claims of presidential 'autonomy' in such settings. The administration warned that upholding the lower court’s order could force inclusion of objectionable outlets at sensitive events, while AP lawyers argued that viewpoint-based exclusions threaten press freedom. The outcome of the case could set an important precedent for media rights and executive power regarding press access to the White House. No final ruling has been issued yet, and the dispute remains ongoing.