Whiny Associated Press may have won the battle, but the Trump administration will win the war

Note from Kyle Reyes, owner of Law Enforcement Today: In a former life, I was a producer of news and special projects in broadcast journalism.  I remember when the Associated Press was actually relatively unbiased in their coverage.  My, how times have changed.

The media outlet has largely turned into a mouthpiece for the DNC, infected with Trump Derangement Syndrome.  The past couple of weeks have been filled with the AP sending out whining and entitled emails to journalists across the country, "updating" us about their battle.  For a visual comparison, simply head over to YouTube and search "videos of petulant toddlers stomping their feet".

I can personally attest to the fact that the White House comms team is highly dedicated and focused on bringing truth, transparency and professionalism back to the field of journalism.  And if that means holding the tender snowflakes at the AP accountable for their anti-American lies... so be it. 

And I'd like to give a special shout out to the incredible press secretary.  Every time you see that cross around her neck, let it be a reminder that she answers to Jesus first.  It's that kind of Christ-centered leadership which is going to continue to serve this country and undo the damage of the liars, thieves and traitors from the last administration.

Let's roll.  Now read on for the latest.
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WASHINGTON, DC - A federal district judge ruled against the Trump administration’s ban of the Associated Press (shocker) from accessing presidential events partly because the outlet refused to abide by President Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of America (formerly the Gulf of Mexico). 

U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, a Trump appointee, ruled the White House can’t retaliate against the AP for refusing to follow the executive order. The order came in the form of a preliminary injunction, which the administration appealed, as expected. 

“Under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists–be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere–it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints,” McFadden wrote. “The Constitution requires no less.” 

That ruling is, of course, absurd since there are restrictions on which outlets are permitted to receive White House press credentials to attend press briefings or fly with the press contingent on Air Force One. 

McFadden delayed implementing his order for a week, giving the government time to respond or appeal. An AP reporter and photographer attempted to join a motorcade with the White House press pool to cover the president’s appearance before the National Republican Congressional Committee, however, they were denied. 

After the lamestream media has spent the past ten years attacking Trump, his administration has set the wheels in motion on the media, with the FCC filing lawsuits against legacy outlets ABC, CBS, and NBC’s news divisions. The administration has sought to cut off funding for the Voice of America, PBS, and NPR, which are partly funded by public funding, and which have attacked President Trump and his administration. 

The AP claimed its free speech rights were infringed by not being allowed to get close and personal access to conduct its smear campaign against the Trump administration. The AP, a wire service used by hundreds of media outlets nationwide, claimed it needed to be included in pool coverage ostensibly to provide “news” to its subscribers. 

McFadden’s ruling doesn’t necessarily mandate that the administration allow AP into the Oval Office or aboard Air Force One, which undoubtedly upset the outlet. 

“The Court does not order the government to grant the AP permanent access to the Oval Office, the East Room, or any other media event,” he wrote. “It does not bestow special treatment upon the AP. Indeed, the AP is not necessarily entitled to the ‘first in line every time’ permanent press pool access it enjoyed under the (White House Correspondents Association). But it cannot be treated worse than its peer wire service either.” 

He continued that the decision also does not prohibit government officials, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, from choosing which outlet she will call upon at press briefings, or the president at news conferences. 

The AP complained before McFadden that its absence from covering certain events impeded its ability to transmit words and images. It also complained that it lost a $150,000 advertising contract from a client concerned about the ban. 

The government disputed the impact on the AP, noting that it has been able to use live streams or photos from other outlets to get news out and that the outlet also attends Leavitt’s daily press briefings. 

On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed an appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on behalf of three senior White House officials named in the AP’s complaint. 

The AP may have won the battle, but they likely will not win the war. Even if the administration loses its appeal, the White House can simply treat the AP like the annoying gnat it is and ignore it.