- A federal judge declined to further enforce a ruling requiring the White House to restore The Associated Press’s (AP) press access. The decision follows new White House guidelines that revise how wire services are included in press pool rotations.
- Judge Trevor N. McFadden suggested future patterns in AP exclusion could still raise legal concerns.
- An appeals court panel appeared divided during Thursday’s hearing regarding McFadden’s original ruling.
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A federal judge has declined to enforce his previous ruling that required the White House to restore The Associated Press’s (AP) access to certain press areas, citing recent changes in press guidelines issued by the Trump administration.
U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, who had earlier ruled that the White House could not discriminate against the AP based on its viewpoints, said Friday, April 18 that he would not take further action to enforce that order. McFadden made the decision after the White House revised its press access policies earlier in the week of April 13.
New guidelines alter press pool structure
The updated policy, released Tuesday, April 15, ends an arrangement in which wire services — the AP, Reuters and Bloomberg — shared a rotating seat among themselves. Under the new guidelines, those outlets will now be part of the broader pool of print media that rotate coverage of specific events, such as executive order signings or travel aboard Air Force One.
The guidelines also clarify that the president retains full discretion over who receives access to the Oval Office.
Judge leaves door open for future legal challenges
McFadden acknowledged that future patterns in press pool access could raise additional legal questions.
“We are not at the point where we can make much of a determination one way or another,” he said. “I don’t intend to micromanage the White House. The proof is in the pudding.”
He suggested that if the AP is repeatedly left out of the press pool rotation, it may signal a pattern of discrimination, leaving the possibility open for further challenges.
Appeals court reviews McFadden’s original ruling
While McFadden paused enforcement of his original order, the case continues to move through the appeals process. A three-judge panel heard arguments Thursday, April 17, appearing divided on whether the White House is legally required to grant the AP access to certain press areas.
Two of the judges were appointed by former President Barack Obama, while one was appointed by President Donald Trump. The timing of a final ruling from the appeals court remains unclear.
AP’s current press pool status
The AP was not present in the press pool early in the week of April 13. However, an AP photographer was granted access on Thursday and Friday. A print reporter from the AP has not been selected for the pool since February, though the outlet’s legal team expects one to be included on Saturday, April 19, when Trump is scheduled to play golf.
