A federal judge in the United States has ordered the White House to restore the Associated Press’ (AP) full access to cover presidential events.
U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of President Donald Trump, made the decision based on First Amendment grounds.
“Under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists — be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere—it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints,” McFadden wrote. “The Constitution requires no less.”
McFadden ruled that the government can’t retaliate against the AP’s decision not to follow Trump’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico, handing the news site a major victory.
The AP have been blocked from presidential events since 11 February and retaliated by suing Trump administration officials.
AP spokeswoman, Lauren Easton said they were gratified by the court’s decision.
“Today’s ruling affirms the fundamental right of the press and public to speak freely without government retaliation,” Easton said.
“This is a freedom guaranteed for all Americans in the U.S. Constitution.”
It is unclear when the White House will put McFadden’s ruling in place.
McFadden also made it clear that the government is not ordered to grant AP permanent access to the Oval Office, East Room or any other media event.
“It does not bestow special treatment upon the AP,” he said.
“Indeed, the AP is not necessarily entitled to the ‘first in line every time’ permanent press pool access it enjoyed under the (White House Correspondents Association).
“But it cannot be treated worse than its peer wire service either.”
