Trump Administration Blocks AP Access for Third Day Amid First Amendment Dispute

The Trump administration has barred the Associated Press (AP) from covering press events for three consecutive days, starting with a press conference involving President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Modi. This action stems from the AP's refusal to adopt the term 'Gulf of America' in place of 'Gulf of Mexico,' which was mandated by an executive order from Trump. AP Executive Editor Julie Pace condemned the decision as a violation of the First Amendment and detrimental to the public's access to nonpartisan news. The move has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Murphy, who described it as a 'red alert moment' for democracy. Despite the backlash, the White House maintains that media access decisions are at the president's discretion, a stance that has further inflamed tensions between the administration and the press. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about press freedom under the Trump presidency.