AP Faces Karoline Leavitt’s Wrath After Federal Judge’s Decision [WATCH]

A federal judge on Monday denied the Associated Press’s emergency motion to restore its access to the White House press pool after the outlet was removed from Oval Office coverage earlier this month.

The decision upholds the Trump administration’s stance that White House press access is a privilege, not a legal right.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the ruling during an appearance on Hannity, reinforcing the administration’s position.

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“And the winning continues here at the White House every day,” Leavitt said. “Today, a federal judge, right here in Washington, D.C., denied the Associated Press’s emergency request for a temporary restraining order to restore their privilege of returning to the White House press pool.”

The Associated Press sought an emergency temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Trump administration after being removed from Oval Office coverage earlier this month. The outlet had refused to acknowledge President Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” a move that has already been recognized by major tech platforms like Google and Apple.

Following the judge’s ruling, Leavitt reiterated the administration’s stance on White House press access.

“Covering the American presidency in the most intimate and limited spaces in this White House, in the Oval Office, on Air Force One is a privilege,” she stated. “It is not a legal right.”

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The White House has defended its decision to limit press access, arguing that it is ensuring broader representation of voices in media coverage.

Leavitt emphasized that the administration is expanding opportunities for independent journalists, podcasters, and alternative media outlets to gain access to the James S. Brady Briefing Room, which she described as a step toward more accurate and diverse coverage of the Trump presidency.

“We want all voices to have that opportunity, and that’s why we’ve expanded the James S. Brady Briefing Room to invite truly legitimate independent journalists, podcasters, and other media types into that room to cover this president with honesty and accuracy and with real mindfulness of what the American people actually care about,” she said.

The Associated Press has not yet publicly commented on the judge’s ruling.

The decision marks a significant setback for the outlet, which had argued that its removal from certain White House press privileges was unjustified.

The ruling reinforces the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to challenge traditional media outlets while promoting alternative sources of information.

With the decision now standing, the White House is moving forward with its broader media strategy, welcoming new voices while limiting access for those it views as adversarial.

If you enjoyed what Leavitt said on Fox News, check out what she said in today’s White House press briefing.

Laying down the law to the press pic.twitter.com/55p996fhPl

— Karli Bonne’ (@KarluskaP) February 25, 2025

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