The AP’s freedom of speech — and yours

Ban against the Associated Press is brazen attempt to punish us for using words Trump dislikes

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Columnists

March 27, 2025 - 4:05 PM

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks to members of the media at his Mar-a-Lago Club on Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump has banned the Associated Press access to the White House press pool and other official events. (Scott Olson/Getty Images/TNS)

For anyone who thinks the Associated Press’s lawsuit against President Trump’s White House is about the name of a body of water, think bigger. It’s really about whether the government can control what you say.  

The ability to comment on politics and consume news created without interference and intimidation by the government is central to American democracy. So central, in fact, that it is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

This principle is now under threat. On Thursday Judge Trevor N. McFadden of the U.S. District Court for the District of…

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