Dear AP reader,
I'm writing with an update on AP's White House access lawsuit. As you may know, in April a federal judge ordered the White House to restore our full access to cover presidential events, affirming the free speech protections afforded by the First Amendment. But the government filed an appeal, and the legal process is still ongoing. I wanted to share with you the latest developments.
What happened last week
Shortly after the government filed its appeal in April, it also asked the appellate court to stay – or pause – enforcement of the court order in AP's favor. On Friday, a federal appeals court panel granted that motion, finding enforcement of the order should be paused while the appeal is heard on the merits.
Allowing this decision to stand would effectively allow the government to bar news organizations from covering events in the Oval Office or traveling on Air Force One if it disagrees with the words they use. This directly challenges the ability of the AP and other news organizations to cover the White House independently.
This week we asked for a rehearing by the full appellate court – a procedural step we are taking because an essential American principle is at stake. You can read AP's story on our new filing here.
What this means for AP journalism
The legal process hasn't stopped AP journalists from covering the White House and delivering independent, nonpartisan and fact-based news. Our journalists rely on deep sourcing across the federal government and on both sides of the political aisle, they dig through complex public records and conduct interviews with public officials and those directly impacted by government actions to add context and clarity.
How you help support AP's mission
Loyal readers like you have never been more important. You remind us every day why it's important to keep doing what we've done for 179 years: report the facts, hold power to account in every administration and stand up for the principles that allow journalists to report independently on behalf of the public.
We're grateful to have you with us on that path.
Sincerely,
Julie Pace
