Trump administration faces backlash for restricting AP reporters' access

Friday 14 February 2025 - 08:37

The Trump administration has once again barred The Associated Press (AP) from covering a White House event, intensifying an ongoing dispute over the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

On Thursday, the AP reported that one of its journalists was denied entry to a press conference between President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This follows two previous incidents earlier in the week when AP reporters were blocked from attending both an executive order signing and the swearing-in ceremony of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Julie Pace, Executive Editor of the AP, denounced these actions as a “deeply troubling escalation” against the press, arguing that they violate First Amendment protections. She urged the administration to cease such restrictions immediately.

The dispute stems from the AP’s refusal to adopt the new name “Gulf of America” after Trump issued an executive order mandating the change. The news agency maintains that the name “Gulf of Mexico” remains appropriate, given the body of water’s international significance, with portions belonging to Mexico and Cuba.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s position, insisting that the name had been updated in official records and recognized by private entities such as Apple and Google. She accused media outlets of spreading misinformation by refusing to comply.

Eugene Daniels, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, condemned the White House’s actions as an attempt to suppress a free press. He warned that restricting journalists' access could have a chilling effect on press freedom and called for an immediate reversal of the decision.

The escalating tensions highlight ongoing concerns about government transparency and media independence under the Trump administration.