AP barred from Oval Office coverage despite court ruling

On April 14, 2025, the Trump administration continued to restrict access to The Associated Press (AP) by turning away a reporter and photographer from an Oval Office news conference involving President Donald Trump and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador. This incident occurred despite a recent federal court ruling that forbade the government from punishing the AP for its editorial decisions, particularly its refusal to rename the Gulf of Mexico according to Trump's executive order. Judge Trevor N. McFadden had ruled that the administration's actions amounted to viewpoint discrimination. The AP's exclusion from the Oval Office highlights ongoing tensions between the news organization and the Trump administration. Previously, the AP had been granted access to such events, which are critical for news coverage. The ruling that should have reinstated their access was set to take effect on the same day they were denied entry. The administration’s argument for restricting access was based on a claim that the AP had grown accustomed to a favored status that no longer needed to be maintained. This situation signifies broader issues regarding press freedom and governmental control of media. AP's lawsuit stems from its decision not to comply with Trump's directive concerning the naming of the Gulf, which trended toward censorship, raising concerns about First Amendment rights. The AP argued that they should not face punitive measures for exercising their rights to free speech, and the court decision was a critical moment for press freedom. As the legal battle continues, the outcome may have significant implications for media access under the Trump administration. The administration has appealed the ruling, and while AP regularly covers press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s briefings, access to the most crucial events remains uncertain. Future hearings will determine if the appeals process will delay changes to the current access situation once again.