Reporters from The Associated Press will not have access to White House limited space events such as in the Oval Office and Air Force One, the deputy chief of staff announced Friday.
President Donald Trump's team has been at odds with the AP over the wire service not recognizing the body of water between Florida and Mexico as the Gulf of America.
"The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America. This decision is not just divisive, but it also exposes The Associated Press' commitment to misinformation," White House deputy chief of staff and Cabinet secretary Taylor Budowich posted on X. "While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One."
"Going forward, that space will now be opened up to the many thousands of reporters who have been barred from covering these intimate areas of the administration. Associate Press journalists and photographers will retain their credentials to the White House complex."
On Thursday, the White House had blocked an AP reporter from attending and reporting on an event there for a third straight day.
AP Executive Editor Julie Pace released a statement assailing the decision "in the strongest terms" after the outlet was blocked from covering Thursday's news conference with Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.
"The decision by the White House to block an AP reporter from an open press conference with President Trump and Prime Minister Modi is a deeply troubling escalation of the administration's efforts to punish The Associated Press for its editorial decisions," Pace wrote.
The Trump administration's Interior Department on Jan. 24 said it had officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and the Alaskan peak Denali to Mount McKinley.
Three days later, Google Maps said the name of Gulf of Mexico would be changed to Gulf of America once it is officially updated in the U.S. Geographic Names System.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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