The Associated Press has taken legal action against three Trump administration officials, asserting their right to freedom of speech by challenging restrictions on media access to presidential events. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., addresses the White House’s efforts to control speech, exemplified by the dispute over the naming of the Gulf of Mexico. The AP argues that individuals, including journalists, have the right to choose their own words without fear of government retaliation, as protected by the First Amendment.

The White House’s decision to limit AP journalists’ access to press events and Air Force One was a direct response to the news agency’s refusal to adopt President Trump’s preferred terminology. While AP reporters can still enter White House grounds, they have been excluded from the journalist pool covering events in smaller spaces, disrupting a tradition spanning over a century. Notably, several news organizations, including Fox News Channel and Newsmax, have joined forces to urge the White House to reverse its policy against the AP.

In a related development, key federal agencies, such as the FBI, State Department, and Pentagon, have resisted Elon Musk’s directive demanding that employees report their weekly accomplishments or face termination. This move, supported by Trump, has sparked controversy and legal threats from unions. The unfolding dynamics between the government, media, and corporate figures like Musk underscore the ongoing tensions and power struggles within the federal workforce.