Here's a story by the Associated Press about the Associated Press winning back its access to the Oval Office and Air Force One. The Associated Press always had a seat in the White House briefing room, so it's not as if they were frozen out entirely. Of course, a judge ordered this, citing the First Amendment.
The Associated Press wins reinstatement to White House events after judge rules government can’t bar its journalists, citing the 1st Amendment. https://t.co/cfT3erOua9
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 8, 2025
The First Amendment says the Associated Press has a right to attend events in the Oval Office? Where did the judge find that in the Constitution?
David Bauder reports, exercising his First Amendment right to speech:
A federal judge ordered the White House on Tuesday to restore The Associated Press’ full access to cover presidential events, affirming on First Amendment grounds that the government cannot punish the news organization for the content of its speech.
U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of President Donald Trump, ruled that the government can’t retaliate against the AP’s decision not to follow the president’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The decision, while a preliminary injunction, handed the AP a major victory at a time the White House has been challenging the press on several levels.
“Under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists—be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere—it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints,” McFadden wrote. “The Constitution requires no less.”
So every journalist from every media outlet has a First Amendment right to attend events in the Oval Office? It could get crowded in there.
AP doesn’t have a special carve out in the Constitution, you aren’t promised a place at any table.
— Bleu Cheque (@VERBAL_CHANCLA) April 9, 2025
Great. Then let's just get rid of every traditional press outlet's access to the White House. Let them report on stuff like the rest of us.
— Cynical Publius (@CynicalPublius) April 8, 2025
Problem solved.
Ridiculous.
— Area Man (@lheal) April 8, 2025
I am a journalist, and yet I don't have a White House press pass.
(By 'journalist', I mean I am a citizen who writes the words "I am a journalist.")
News organizations have no special rights under the First Amendment.
So… I’m a journalist. Where is my press badge?
— Justin (@SauceTray) April 9, 2025
This will get overturned. It's not a First Amendment issue. They can still say whatever they want. Nobody's preventing that. If they have a case, that would mean everybody would have to be let in.
— Drain Bamage (@IsDrainBamaged) April 8, 2025
Journalists are a protected class, or at least they seem to think so.
Would be the funniest thing if they let you in, put you in the closet and never entertained a single question you ask
— Mr. Sarcastic Logic (@Sarcasm_n_logic) April 8, 2025
This really isn’t the flex you think it is. It’s gonna be really funny watching the AP reporter sit in the room and never get called on.
— D Sprinkle (@dalonnas_60) April 9, 2025
Does this mean I can slap a “PRESS” card onto my hat and get in?
— Chris C (@mrfudd0) April 9, 2025
Being in the press pool is a privilege, not a right. Enjoy the back of the room and not getting called on till this is overturned
— Joe (@Necro_304Mav) April 9, 2025
What does this have to do with the First Amendment? We need these judges to explain how they come to these decisions.
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