THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS NOT ENTITLED TO SPECIAL WHITE HOUSE ACCESS
Chicago, IL—The Center for American Rights (CAR) filed an amicus brief in support of President Trump’s authority to determine privileged press access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other limited, special spaces. The Associated Press filed suit naming three Trump officials citing the First Amendment in asking a federal judge to order its reinstatement. The judge denied that initial request, and AP has reiterated it seeking a preliminary injunction.
“The First Amendment is not a blank check for legacy media to demand special privileges different from the American people at large. The media landscape has changed immensely since 1846 when the AP was founded, and although the Trump White House’s embrace of 21st-century outlets may upset some, it is not illegal,” said Daniel Suhr, president of the Center and author of the amicus brief.
Suhr has extensive experience with this area of law, having represented two journalists excluded from government press briefings. After surveying numerous cases involving these types of situations, Suhr argues in the brief that access to special spaces and interviews is not the same as general access via the general White House access that the AP still receives.
“President Trump took over 1,000 questions in his first month in office compared to President Biden’s 141,” Suhr said. “To argue that the American people are being denied coverage and transparency from the White House because of the AP’s limited revocation is first, laughable, and second, not a violation of the Constitution. The White House has every right to grant access to reporters of its choosing for limited and special events such as those in the Oval Office and Air Force One.”
This amicus brief is part of the Center for American Rights’ mission to hold the media accountable and ensure the American people are provided with fair, transparent, and accurate news. CAR’s work was most recently in the news after CBS was compelled to release the unedited transcript and video of Kamala Harris’ “60 Minutes” interview as part of CAR’s FCC complaint for news distortion.