Respect court order allowing AP access to White House

The White House's decision to bar reporters from The Associated Press (AP) from attending an Oval Office event, despite a court order prohibiting such actions, is deeply concerning. It undermines press freedom and the public's right to access information from independent media sources. The court had ruled that the administration cannot punish the AP for exercising its First Amendment rights by refusing to follow the president's preferred naming convention for a geographic feature. Denying access to AP journalists appears to be retaliatory viewpoint discrimination, which violates constitutional protections for a free press. A robust democracy requires the ability of journalists to monitor the workings of government without fear of reprisal for editorial decisions. By flouting the court order, the White House is obstructing the AP from fulfilling its role as a watchdog on power and informing the public about actions taken by its elected leaders. I urge the administration to immediately comply with the court's ruling and restore the AP's traditional level of access to White House events and the president. Continued disregard for this legally binding order would further erode constitutionally enshrined press freedoms that are essential for government transparency and accountability.