A U.S. federal judge dismissed on Monday the injunction request filed by the Associated Press (AP) news agency, which sought to restore its full access to the White House. However, the judge did not rule on the core issue of the dispute, which pits this pillar of American journalism against the Trump administration.

AP was denied access to the Oval Office and the official presidential aircraft, “Air Force One,” due to its refusal to comply with the new designation of the Gulf of Mexico, which was renamed the “Gulf of America” by executive order signed by Donald Trump.

During yesterday’s joint press conference between French President Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump, French media correspondents in Washington, in a show of solidarity, yielded the first question from their group to their AP colleague.

AP filed its lawsuit last week against White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, her deputy Taylor Budowich, and Trump’s spokesperson Caroline Leavitt.

The judge rejected AP’s request for the immediate restoration of its full access to White House affairs but instructed both parties to submit their written arguments and scheduled a hearing for March 20.

The White House welcomed the decision, reiterating in a statement that access to the Oval Office and Air Force One is “a privilege granted to journalists, not a right.” It further claimed, “This is the most transparent administration in U.S. history.”

However, during the hearing, the judge pointed out to government representatives that legal precedents regarding press freedom do not favor such restrictions, according to media reports.

AP is invoking the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press and expression.

“The press and all U.S. citizens have the right to choose their own words and not be subjected to government retaliation,” the agency stated, warning against “a threat to the freedom of every American.”

On February 20, Donald Trump launched a fierce attack on AP, branding it a “radical left organization.”

AP’s editorial team has clarified that the U.S. presidential order changing the Gulf’s name applies only within the United States, while Mexico, other countries, and international institutions are not obligated to comply.

“The Associated Press will refer to the Gulf by its original name while also acknowledging the new name chosen by Trump,” the agency stated, emphasizing that the Gulf of Mexico “has borne this name for over 400 years.”

Founded in 1846 by New York newspapers, the Associated Press employs more than 3,000 people worldwide. In 2023, it published over 375,000 articles, 1.24 million photographs, and 80,000 videos, according to its own data.