A federal judge on Monday denied the Associated Press’ request to temporarily restore access to certain Trump administration events, including the Oval Office and Air Force One.
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden rejected the AP’s appeal to lift the ban, imposed by President Trump after the AP continued using the term “Gulf of Mexico” despite Trump renaming it the “Gulf of America.” McFadden scheduled another hearing for March 20 to consider a preliminary injunction, noting that the AP had not demonstrated “irreparable harm” from the ban at this stage.
McFadden, appointed by Trump, expressed skepticism about the ban’s legality, calling it “discriminatory” and “problematic.” Government lawyers argued that the president has discretion over granting journalists special access, asserting that revoking the AP’s access does not violate the Constitution. They also stated that the president has authority over spaces like the Oval Office, Air Force One, and Mar-a-Lago.
