Washington, DC [US], February 15 (HBTV): The White House announced on Friday that it has indefinitely banned The Associated Press (AP) from accessing the Oval Office and Air Force One, CNN reported. The decision follows the AP’s continued use of the term "Gulf of Mexico," which the White House has officially renamed as the "Gulf of America."

In January, the US President declared that the US government would implement the name change, which has since taken effect in government agencies. However, the new designation has not been recognized by other nations, and several media outlets, including the AP, have continued to use "Gulf of Mexico."

This week, the White House specifically singled out the AP and barred its reporters from attending presidential events, though its photographers were still permitted access.

Shortly before President Trump departed the White House for Mar-a-Lago on Friday, his administration confirmed that AP journalists would not be allowed to travel aboard Air Force One for the trip.

In a statement shared on X, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich criticized the AP’s refusal to adopt the new geographic name, calling it "divisive" and accusing the agency of spreading misinformation. While AP journalists and photographers will retain their credentials for the White House complex, they will no longer have access to certain restricted areas, including the Oval Office and Air Force One.

"The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America. This decision is not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press' commitment to misinformation. While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One. Going forward, that space will now be opened up to the many thousands of reporters who have been barred from covering these intimate areas of the administration," Budowich stated.

(ANI)