WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Associated Press (AP) has filed a federal lawsuit against three top Trump administration officials, accusing them of violating First Amendment rights by blocking AP journalists from presidential events. The move marks a significant escalation in a high-profile dispute over press freedom and editorial independence.
The suit, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, names White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as defendants. It comes just ten days after the White House began restricting the AP’s access to certain events, citing the agency’s refusal to adopt President Donald Trump’s preferred terminology — renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America.”
A Fight Over Words and Access
The AP argues the administration’s actions amount to an unconstitutional effort to control language and retaliate against journalists for editorial choices. In its filing, the AP states:
“The press and all people in the United States have the right to choose their own words and not be retaliated against by the government. This targeted attack on the AP’s editorial independence strikes at the very core of the First Amendment.”
At the heart of the conflict is the AP Stylebook, a widely respected language guide used by journalists, academics, and students nationwide. The administration reportedly hoped AP would update the Stylebook to reflect Trump’s renaming order, but the agency declined, saying it would continue using “Gulf of Mexico” while noting the president’s executive action for context.
White House officials have openly acknowledged the decision to restrict AP’s access. Trump himself told reporters Tuesday,
“We’re going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it’s the Gulf of America.”
Blocked from Key Press Pools
While AP journalists still hold general White House press credentials, they have been excluded from the small, rotating “press pool” that covers events in limited spaces, including presidential travel on Air Force One. This pool system has been in place for more than a century and ensures the public receives first-hand accounts from a designated group of reporters.
The administration’s restrictions also extend to events at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida estate. According to the AP, the limitations directly interfere with its ability to gather news and share it with the public and other media outlets.
Support from Unlikely Allies
The AP’s dispute has sparked unusual unity across the media landscape. More than 40 news organizations — including Fox News Channel and Newsmax, which often support Trump — signed a letter organized by the White House Correspondents’ Association urging the administration to reverse its decision.
Newsmax, while acknowledging Trump’s frustration with the press, defended AP’s right to editorial independence:
“We fear a future administration may not like something Newsmax writes and seek to ban us.”
Other outlets have responded differently to Trump’s renaming order. The New York Times and The Washington Post continue to use “Gulf of Mexico,” while Fox News has adopted “Gulf of America.” Google Maps has already implemented the new name for U.S.-based users.
Administration’s Defense
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday, defended the White House stance:
“We feel we are in the right in this position. We’re going to ensure that truth and accuracy is present at the White House every single day.”
Wiles, in correspondence with AP executives, claimed the Stylebook’s influence has been “misused” and “weaponized” to push partisan agendas. She specifically cited entries on racial terminology, gender-affirming medical care, and immigration language that have drawn criticism from conservatives.
Deputy Chief of Staff Budowich, in an Axios interview last week, pointed to AP guidance such as capitalizing “Black” but not “white” in racial contexts, discouraging the term “illegal immigrants,” and offering inclusive language recommendations. These, he said, contribute to the administration’s concerns about bias.
A Broader Pattern of Name Changes
This is not the first time Trump has ordered geographic name changes. The AP Stylebook already recognizes his executive order restoring the name “Mount McKinley” to Alaska’s highest peak, reversing the Obama administration’s change to “Denali.” AP has noted that, in that case, the president had the authority to act because the mountain lies entirely within the United States.
The “Gulf of America” order, however, affects an international body of water, making it more controversial among journalists and geographers alike.
Escalating Legal Showdown
The lawsuit details unsuccessful attempts by AP leadership to resolve the dispute before resorting to legal action. Julie Pace, AP’s senior vice president and executive editor, even traveled to Florida to meet with Wiles directly. According to court filings, those talks did not produce a resolution.
The AP is seeking an immediate injunction to restore its access, arguing that the ban is retaliatory, unlawful, and sets a dangerous precedent for government control over language in news reporting.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, raising speculation about how his political ties might affect the proceedings. However, judicial ethics require impartiality regardless of personal affiliations.
Trump’s Response
Trump has been characteristically blunt in his public comments about the lawsuit and the AP. Speaking to Fox News radio host Brian Kilmeade, he called the organization “radical left lunatics” and a “third-rate outfit with a first-rate name.” He claimed that “just about everybody” had accepted the new “Gulf of America” label, dismissing AP’s refusal as an attempt to “be cute.”
Despite his criticism, Trump’s position has faced pushback even from supporters who value press freedom as a constitutional principle.
Implications for Press Freedom
The case is being closely watched by legal scholars, journalists, and free speech advocates. While disputes between presidents and the press are not new, experts say this lawsuit is unusual because it directly challenges the government’s attempt to enforce specific language in news reporting.
First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams told reporters that the issue goes beyond a single dispute over a geographic term:
“If the government can punish a news organization for the words it chooses, then the independence of the press is in serious jeopardy.”
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Associated Press lawsuit about?
The Associated Press (AP) filed a lawsuit against three Trump administration officials, alleging that they unlawfully restricted AP journalists’ access to presidential events in retaliation for editorial decisions. The AP argues this violates the First Amendment’s protections for freedom of the press and free speech.
Who are the Trump officials named in the lawsuit?
The defendants are White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Why did the Trump administration block AP journalists from events?
The White House restricted AP access after the news agency refused to adopt President Trump’s renaming of the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” in its Stylebook. AP maintained it would keep using “Gulf of Mexico” while noting the executive order for context.
What is the AP Stylebook and why is it important?
The AP Stylebook is a widely used language and grammar guide for journalists, academics, and students. Its standards influence how news is reported in the U.S. and internationally. The Trump administration sought to have the Stylebook reflect the “Gulf of America” name change.
How has the media reacted to this dispute?
More than 40 news outlets — including Fox News and Newsmax, which often support Trump — signed a letter urging the White House to restore AP’s access. While some outlets have adopted the new name, others, like The New York Times and Washington Post, continue to use “Gulf of Mexico.”
Has the AP been completely banned from the White House?
No. AP journalists still have general White House credentials but have been removed from the “press pool” that covers smaller events and presidential travel, including flights on Air Force One.
What legal action is the AP seeking?
The AP is asking the court for an immediate injunction to restore its full access to presidential events, arguing the restrictions are unconstitutional retaliation against a news organization.
Conclusion:
The Associated Press’s lawsuit against three Trump administration officials is more than a dispute over a name change — it is a direct test of the boundaries of press freedom in the United States. By linking access to presidential events with compliance on editorial language, the case raises critical questions about government influence over journalism. The outcome could shape future relations between the White House and the press, setting a precedent for how far political leaders can go in challenging editorial independence.
