White House removes AP, Reuters, Bloomberg from press pool
White House Removes Wire Services from Press Pool, defying court order.
The White House has eliminated the dedicated press pool slot for wire services, including the Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and Bloomberg, in a move that has sparked controversy. This decision, announced on April 15, 2025, follows a federal court order requiring the Trump administration to restore AP’s access to the press pool after its exclusion since February.
What Are Wire Services and the Press Pool?
Wire services like AP, Reuters, and Bloomberg provide real-time news to thousands of media outlets worldwide. The White House press pool is a small group of journalists who cover the president’s activities in restricted spaces, such as the Oval Office or Air Force One, sharing reports with the broader press corps. For decades, wire services have held a guaranteed spot in this rotation due to their extensive reach.
Why Were Wire Services Removed?
The change comes after the AP was banned from the press pool for refusing to adopt the term “Gulf of America” in its stylebook, as mandated by a Trump executive order. A federal judge ruled this ban violated the First Amendment, ordering AP’s reinstatement. Instead of complying, the White House removed the wire service slot entirely, replacing it with an additional print journalist position. Wire services can now only compete for two rotating print spots, reducing their access significantly.
Impact on News Coverage
This policy shift limits the ability of wire services to deliver timely, nonpartisan White House coverage to local and global audiences. Critics, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, argue it undermines press freedom and public access to information. The AP called the move a grave disservice to Americans, while Reuters and Bloomberg also condemned the restrictions.
White House’s Stance
The administration claims the new policy ensures fairness and reflects modern media habits. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt retains daily discretion over pool composition, with a White House official stating the changes allow coverage by outlets with relevant expertise. However, the AP’s court filing on April 16 accused the White House of defying the judge’s order, requesting immediate enforcement.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the press, raising concerns about transparency and access to unfiltered journalism. A hearing is scheduled for April 18 to address the issue.
