A federal judge has ruled that the White House’s decision to revoke access for an Associated Press (AP) reporter violated the Constitution, calling the action an instance of “viewpoint discrimination” and a breach of First Amendment protections.
The case stemmed from an incident in which the White House barred a veteran AP journalist from attending press briefings, citing alleged disruptive behavior. However, the court determined that the ban was not applied uniformly and appeared to be motivated by disagreement with the reporter’s coverage and questions during official briefings.
In the ruling, the judge stated that while the White House maintains authority to enforce decorum and maintain order at official events, it cannot exclude members of the press based on the content or tone of their reporting. The court emphasized that press freedom is a cornerstone of democratic accountability, and efforts to restrict access must be narrowly tailored and applied without bias.
The decision marks a significant legal setback for the administration, which had defended the ban as a disciplinary measure rather than an infringement on free speech. Officials argued that the reporter had repeatedly failed to adhere to protocol, but the court found insufficient evidence that comparable behavior from other journalists had resulted in similar punishment.
Legal experts say the ruling reaffirms longstanding constitutional protections for journalists and may set a precedent for how government institutions manage press access going forward. The judge ordered the immediate restoration of the reporter’s credentials and instructed the White House to revise its media policies to prevent future instances of selective enforcement.
The Associated Press welcomed the decision, calling it a victory for press freedom and the public’s right to transparency. The reporter involved has resumed attendance at White House briefings.
This ruling comes at a time of heightened tension between the media and federal institutions, with increasing scrutiny over how press credentials are distributed and revoked. Advocates for press rights have called for uniform standards to ensure that no journalist is penalized for their reporting, regardless of political implications.