The White House celebrated a legal win on Monday after US District Judge Trevor McFadden denied the Associated Press’ (AP) request for an immediate injunction against restrictions placed by the Trump administration. The decision came amid a heated dispute over the renaming of the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” through a presidential executive order.
Television screens in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room displayed messages reading “Victory” and “Gulf of America,” signaling the administration’s satisfaction with the ruling.
The feud began when the AP refused to change its style from “Gulf of Mexico” to the administration’s preferred “Gulf of America.” In response, the White House barred AP reporters from access to key events, including those in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One. This prompted the AP to file a lawsuit against White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich.
Judge McFadden, a Trump appointee, scheduled the next hearing for March 20, emphasizing the need for further deliberations.
“We stand by our decision to block access to the news agency,” the Trump administration stated, reiterating its position that access to certain presidential events is a privilege, not a legal entitlement.
The AP condemned the ruling, arguing that the administration’s actions violated both its First and Fifth Amendment rights. “The Constitution does not allow the government to control speech. Allowing such government control and retaliation to stand is a threat to every American’s freedom,” the AP said.
Support for the AP has poured in from press advocacy groups, with the White House Correspondents’ Association and the Reporters’ Committee for Freedom of the Press criticizing the administration’s actions. Posters reading “We Stand with AP” were seen in the briefing room following the ruling.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Elon Musk—now head of the Department of Government Efficiency—mocked the AP on X, renaming it “Associated Propaganda.”
As tensions between the press and the administration continue to escalate, all eyes will be on the March 20 hearing for further developments in this constitutional clash.