Associated Press - Part 1
Press Access Files · Associated Press · Part 1 of 2
A wire service used "Gulf of Mexico." The White House barred its reporters from the Oval Office.
On January 20 2025, President Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. The Associated Press kept its own style. On February 11 2025, its reporters were barred from White House events. This is what happened, documented.
Executive order. January 20 2025. Day one.
02 / 07
An order renamed the Gulf. AP kept its own style.
On January 20 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
The Associated Press, whose style guide is followed by newsrooms globally, said it would continue using "Gulf of Mexico" in its own reporting.
AP acknowledged the new name in its style guide but did not adopt it as the primary term.
Source: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Associated Press v. Budowich, brief filed February 24 2025, rcfp.org
White House officials. February 11 and 12 2025. On record.
03 / 07
Reporters denied entry. The Oval Office. Air Force One. Mar-a-Lago.
On February 11 2025, AP reporters were denied entrance to White House events that other journalists were attending.
The following day, administration officials stated that entrance to the Oval Office and similar spaces is at the discretion of the White House.
The White House began blocking the AP from events open to the press pool and the White House press corps, including a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Source: Freedom Forum, "Does the White House Blocking AP From Press Events Violate the First Amendment?" November 26 2025
President Trump. On record. February 18 2025.
04 / 07
"Until such time that they agree it's the Gulf of America."
President Trump announced the AP's official removal from the press pool on February 18 2025.
He told reporters the administration would withhold access "until such time that they agree that it's the Gulf of America."
This statement became the documented basis of AP's legal argument: the exclusion was conditioned on an editorial change, not a security or space concern.
Source: The Daily Caller, citing President Trump's statement of February 18 2025 · AOL News
Julie Pace. AP Executive Editor. Letter to Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. February 2025.
05 / 07
"Plainly intended to punish the AP for the content of its speech."
AP Executive Editor Julie Pace wrote directly to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in February 2025.
Her letter stated: "It is among the most basic tenets of the First Amendment that 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."
The AP filed suit shortly after, naming three members of the administration and alleging violations of both the First and Fifth Amendments.
Source: Julie Pace letter, cited by Freedom Forum November 26 2025 · AOL News, AP v. Budowich filing details
Judge Trevor McFadden. February 24 2025. First ruling.
06 / 07
A federal judge declined to act immediately. The ban continued, for now.
On February 24 2025, US District Court Judge Trevor McFadden declined to issue a temporary restraining order against the White House, asking for fuller briefing before deciding.
The AP remained barred from the Oval Office and Air Force One.
AP spokesperson Lauren Easton said: "We will continue to stand for the right of the press and the public to speak freely without government retaliation. This is a fundamental American freedom."
The White House called the ruling a victory in a statement to NPR.
Source: NPR, "Judge declines to lift White House ban on AP for now," February 24 2025 · NBC News, February 24 2025
The question. Not a claim.
07 / 07
The President said "until they agree." AP said viewpoint discrimination. If access depends on agreement with the government, what is press access?
Tomorrow: April 8 2025. A Trump-appointed judge rules. What he said. What the appeal changed. Where it stands now.
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