AP sues Trump aides for White House ban over its use of Gulf of Mexico name
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Associated Press White House reporter Darlene Superville being told on Feb 16 by a Trump team member that the AP is barred from joining the White House press pool coverage.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – The Associated Press (AP) on Feb 21 sued senior aides to US President Donald Trump over a decision by the White House to restrict the news outlet’s access to the President
The lawsuit, filed in the US district court in Washington, alleges that the White House’s decision to bar AP reporters from the Oval Office and Air Force One violates the US Constitution, including protections for free speech, by trying to control the language that it uses to report the news.
“The press and all people in the United States have the right to choose their own words and not be retaliated against by the government,” the complaint states.
Responding to questions about the lawsuit posed by conservative commentator Mercedes Schlapp, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking during an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference, said: “We feel we are in the right in this position. We are going to ensure that truth and accuracy is present at that White House every single day.”
White House communications director Steven Cheung, in a statement, called the lawsuit “a blatant PR stunt masquerading as a First Amendment case”.
Mr Trump signed an executive order in January directing the Interior Department to change the name of the body of water
The AP, citing editorial standards, said it would continue to use the gulf’s established name, while acknowledging Mr Trump’s move to change it.
The AP says in its stylebook that the Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years and that it must use identifiers that are easily recognisable for global audiences.
The White House in response barred AP reporters from the Oval Office, where Mr Trump has held several press events since returning to the presidency, and the presidential plane, Air Force One.
Mr Trump’s ban prevents the AP’s journalists from seeing and hearing him and other top White House officials as they take newsworthy actions or respond in real time to news events.
The move has been criticised by several press freedom groups and the White House Correspondents’ Association. Reuters released a statement in support of the AP.
The lawsuit claims the White House’s decision retaliated against the AP over coverage decisions, which are protected under the Constitution. It also alleges the AP did not have an opportunity to challenge the White House’s decision to bar its access.
The lawsuit names Ms Leavitt, chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich as defendants.
Ms Wiles and Mr Budowich did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The AP is seeking a temporary restraining order declaring the restrictions unlawful and immediately restoring its access to all areas available to the White House press pool. REUTERS
