Trump Gets Sued By Who?

The Associated Press (AP) filed a lawsuit against White House officials last Friday, accusing them of unlawfully restricting the wire service’s access to the Oval Office and Air Force One. The restriction stems from the AP’s refusal to use the term “Gulf of America” in its official style guide, a name change that the White House had proposed for the Gulf of Mexico.

In the lawsuit, the AP argues that the government’s actions violate the First and Fifth Amendments, specifically the right to free speech and due process. The press organization is demanding that a federal judge restore its access to the spaces typically available to other members of the White House press pool. The lawsuit asserts that all Americans, including journalists, have the right to freely choose their words without fear of government retaliation. As the AP points out, “The Constitution does not allow the government to control speech, and such actions pose a direct threat to our nation’s freedom.”

The lawsuit was filed in the District of Columbia and names White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich, and press secretary Karoline Leavitt as defendants. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee.

The legal battle stems from a long-standing disagreement between President Trump and the AP over the Gulf’s name. Trump had announced his intent to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, but the AP has maintained that it will continue to refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new title proposed by the president. The AP’s style guide is widely followed by news outlets across the country.

In its statement, the AP emphasized that the lawsuit aims to defend the principle of media independence and free speech, asserting that these rights must be protected for everyone, including the press.

President Trump has been vocal in his criticism of the AP, arguing that the wire service, along with other media outlets, has consistently misrepresented him and his administration. He remarked at his Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this week that the AP, among others, had been “very, very wrong” in its coverage of him and the election. He added, “They’re doing us no favors, and I guess I’m not doing them any favors. That’s the way life works.”

For many conservatives, this legal conflict serves as another reminder of the ongoing battle between the Trump administration and mainstream media, highlighting the importance of protecting free speech and holding the press accountable. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent regarding the balance between government authority and press freedoms in the United States.