Court orders restoration of AP’s access to Oval Office

The court has ordered the White House to restore access for Associated Press journalists to the Oval Office, presidential plane, and other areas, provided they are open to other reporters. Federal Judge Trevor McFadden announced on April 8 that his decision was based on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and the press.

The U.S. government may appeal the decision by April 13.

In mid-February, Associated Press staff were prohibited from entering the Oval Office and the presidential aircraft after the outlet refused to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in its publications, despite a directive from Trump.