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February 22, 2025 – USA –
The Associated Press (AP) filed a lawsuit against three Trump administration officials—White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt—alleging violations of First Amendment rights. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., contends that the administration unlawfully restricted AP journalists’ access to presidential events, including press briefings and travel on Air Force One, in retaliation for the AP’s refusal to adopt the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico” as directed by President Trump.
The AP argues that this exclusion constitutes an unconstitutional effort by the White House to control speech and punish the news agency for its editorial choices. The lawsuit emphasizes that the press has the right to choose its own words without government retaliation, asserting that such actions strike at the core of the First Amendment.
The White House has defended its stance, asserting a commitment to “truth and accuracy,” and has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
This legal action is part of a broader trend of media organizations challenging the Trump administration over perceived infringements on press freedom. For instance, National Public Radio (NPR) and three Colorado-based stations filed a lawsuit against President Trump, contesting an executive order that directed federal agencies and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cut funding to NPR and PBS. The plaintiffs argue that the order violates First Amendment rights by targeting NPR’s journalistic content and attempting to coerce editorial changes.
The AP’s lawsuit underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the press, highlighting concerns over governmental attempts to influence media narratives and the importance of upholding constitutional protections for journalistic independence.
Reference –
AP Sues 3 Trump Administration Officials, Citing Freedom of Speech
