D.C. Court Upholds Trump Restrictions on Associated Press Access

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined a request by the Associated Press for an en banc review to lift restrictions on its journalists' access to the White House. The ruling maintains a June 6 decision that allows the administration of President Donald Trump to bar AP reporters from limited spaces, including the Oval Office and Air Force One, while the court considers the full merits of the lawsuit this fall.

The dispute began in February after President Trump restricted access in retaliation for the AP's refusal to adopt the administration's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" in its style guide. While U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden ruled in April that the government cannot exclude journalists based on their viewpoints or retaliate against editorial decisions, the appeals court paused that order, citing the president's control over private workspaces.

The AP argues the restrictions violate the First and Fifth amendments, asserting that the press has a fundamental right to speak without government retaliation. The administration maintains that granting special access is a discretionary presidential choice. Judge Justin Walker wrote the concurring opinion denying the motion for en banc reconsideration, stating that the standard for such a review was not met.