The US news agency Associated Press (AP) claims to be excluded from the Oval Office in the White House despite the other judicial instruction. Two AP journalists were therefore not allowed to go to the press conference of US President Donald Trump and his counterpart Nayib Bukele from El Salvador on Monday (local time).
However, a federal court had instructed the White House last week to grant AP again to the Oval Office, to the presidential machine Air Force One and other areas – even if they are also open to other journalists. The US government appealed to the judge’s decision.
AP insists on restoration of access
The background to the conflict is the refusal of the AP to use Trump’s renaming for the Gulf of Mexico in “Golf of America”. The White House had repeatedly excluded AP journalists from events.
“We expect the White House to restore the access of the AP to the (press) pool from today, as intended in the injunction,” said AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton on Monday. The White House initially did not comment on it.
Description in use for centuries
The name “Gulf of Mexico” has been in use since the 16th century. The waters border on several US states as well as Mexico and Cuba. Trump had the renaming of the bay by decree. Accordingly, the name change for the area up to the maritime boundaries of Mexico and Cuba applies.
News agencies from Europe and groups that work for freedom of the press had criticized the difficult access for AP through the White House. The Associated Press is one of the most important news agencies worldwide.
