BREAKING: AP sues Trump admin after Oval Office banishment over Gulf of America

The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Washington, DC, claimed that the Trump administration was undertaking an unconstitutional effort to control speech, per the Associated Press. The lawsuit stated, "The press and all people in the United States have the right to choose their own words and not be retaliated against by the government."

The suit was brought against White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

"This targeted attack on the AP’s editorial independence and ability to gather and report the news strikes at the very core of the First Amendment. This court should remedy it immediately," the suit stated.

Leavitt said in a press briefing earlier in the month, "I was very upfront in my briefing on Day 1 that if we feel that there are lies being pushed by outlets in this room, we are going to hold those lies accountable." A few days later, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich defended the decision, stating, "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."

"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."

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