Rabia Iclal Turan
14 February 2025•Update: 15 February 2025
WASHINGTON
The White House announced Friday that it will limit Associated Press (AP) journalists’ access to the Oval Office and Air Force One.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich said the decision was made in response to AP’s refusal to adopt what the administration calls the "lawful geographic name change" of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."
"The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America," Budowich said on X. "This decision is not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation. While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One."
She said that space would now be opened to other members of the press corps covering White House, adding that AP reporters and photographers will retain their credentials for access to the White House complex.
AP did not immediately comment on the decision.
The move follows earlier restrictions placed on AP reporters this week, including Oval Office events, the swearing-in ceremony of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and a joint news conference between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
AP Executive Editor Julie Pace said in a letter to Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Tuesday that the White House's decision to bar its reporters was "plainly intended to punish the AP for the content of its speech."
"It is among the most basic tenets of the First Amendment that the government cannot retaliate against the public or the press for what they say. This is viewpoint discrimination based on a news organization's editorial choices and a clear violation of the First Amendment," Pace wrote. She was referring to the US Constitution's clause that protects free speech and the press.
The agency also explained in its stylebook that it did not adopt Trump’s name change, stating, "Trump’s order only carries authority within the United States. Mexico, along with other countries and international bodies, is not obligated to recognize the name change."
"As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences," it added.
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) condemned the administration’s actions for a second time this week, calling the restrictions an attack on press freedoms.
"The White House’s decision to bar Associated Press reporters from today’s press conference with President Trump and Prime Minister Modi is outrageous and a deeply disappointing escalation of an already unacceptable situation," Eugene Daniels, the WHCA's president, wrote in a statement.
