Summary

The Associated Press (AP) has again asked a federal judge to lift its ban from White House events, arguing the Trump administration is escalating retaliation over its refusal to adopt Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

The AP says the White House has restricted its access further, including barring a photographer from Air Force One’s arrival.

Trump dismissed AP as “radical left lunatics.”

Major news organizations, including Trump-friendly outlets, urged the administration to reverse the ban, calling it a press freedom violation.

A second court hearing is set for March 20.