Staff Reports
The Department of Justice has stepped into the fray, defending President Trump’s bold decision to boot The Associated Press from its coveted position in the White House press pool. Citing a dramatic loss of respect for journalistic integrity, the Department argues that the AP can no longer claim the special treatment it historically enjoyed, thanks to its recent antics that are as questionable as a cat in a dog show.
In an official court filing, the DOJ clarifies that The Associated Press isn’t out of the game completely; they still have the pleasure of jostling alongside a swarm of other journalists reporting on the President. But Trump, evidently done with AP’s games, has decided that they are no longer entitled to an exclusive front-row seat at every event. Who needs guaranteed access when you can stand next to, well, everyone else?
This change in press privileges comes after the AP put its hands up in protest over the government’s decision to refer to the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.” The AP claims this international perspective is critical, which is a nice way of saying they want to pander to every geographical grievance imaginable. Consequently, Trump’s simple response to their refusal was to yank their golden press pass right off their necks.
No one is saying that the AP doesn’t have access; they’ve merely been escorted to the back of the line, where they will have to rely on pool reports and the occasional television coverage just like so many other outlets do. They now find themselves navigating the same waters as heavyweights like The Washington Times and The Wall Street Journal, who manage just fine without AP-style entitlement.
Associated Press doesn’t deserve ‘unfettered access’ to president, writes Brian P. Hudak, chief of the Justice Department’s civil division
https://t.co/Ago7S2fD3V pic.twitter.com/mLhQvOVsT9— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 25, 2025
The Justice Department’s Brian P. Hudak pointed out that the Constitution does not guarantee any journalist a permanent, golden ticket to the President’s ear, and while the AP might want to argue otherwise, they are fully capable of filing news without a special invitation. Attempts by the White House Correspondents’ Association to intervene and claim oversight over the press pool only shine a light on how the connected elite would prefer to operate. They want the government to supply the tickets while they sit back and dictate the terms. This sense of entitlement is laughably out of touch with the current reality.
As the AP clings to hopes of regaining its former glory, it faces the challenging task of proving that their journalistic mission has been hampered by this slight adjustment. Despite their best efforts, Hudak insists that the AP is still out there filing reports just like everyone else—without the luxury of a guaranteed VIP pass. This isn’t a violation of their First Amendment rights; it’s merely a necessary shake-up in the ever-evolving world of press access, and perhaps a wake-up call to a news organization that has grown far too used to special treatment. Welcome to the new landscape of journalism, AP – where the merit of your coverage trumpets what matters, not a single seat at the table.
