An American judge ordered Donald Trump’s government to lift the access restrictions imposed on the Associated Press news agency for the organization’s decision to maintain the name of Gulf of Mexico in its coverage.
The district judge Trevor McFadden, appointed by Trump during his first term, ruled that the White House should allow journalists from the news agency to access the Oval Office, to the Air Force One and the events held in the White House while the demand progresses.
The White House began to limit AP access to several events in which Trump appeared after the news agency said he would continue to use the Gulf of Mexico while recognizing the order of the president to change his name to the Gulf of US.
“The court simply argues that, by virtue of the first amendment, if the government opens its doors to some journalists – be it to the oval office, to the room east any other place – it cannot then close those doors to other journalists due to their points of view,” McFadden wrote in his ruling.
McFadden said that his ruling will not enter into force until Sunday to give time to the government to appeal his decision. The judge is expected to issue a final ruling in the coming months, which could also be appealed.
AP says in its style manual that the Gulf of Mexico has taken that name for more than 400 years and, as a global news agency, it will refer to it by its original name while recognizing the new name Trump has chosen.
Lee: Trump’s tariffs are disastrous for Elon Musk and thus will be affected
AP demanded in February three high -ranking officials of the government, claiming that the restrictions were an attempt to coerce the press to use the language preferred by the administration.
The demand claimed that the restrictions violated the protections of the United States Constitution for freedom of expression and due process, since it could not challenge the prohibition.
AP journalists were prohibited access to the White House reporters, known as “Press Pool”, which covers acts in the Oval Office and travels with the president.
Lee: Trump says that EU enters 2,000 million pesos per day through tariffs
The White House was in charge of deciding which media are part of the press pool. Reuters, who has issued a statement in support of AP, has historically been a permanent member of the pool and now has a rotary position.
With Reuters information
Little text and great information in our X (formerly Twitter), follow us!
