The Knight Institute has filed multiple amicus briefs in The Associated Press v. Budowich, a case challenging the exclusion of The Associated Press from the White House press pool. The White House banned the AP from White House and Air Force One briefings because of the news organization’s decision to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its historical name rather than the “Gulf of America.”

The Knight Institute’s briefs, in the district court and on appeal, argue that the White House’s decision to ban the AP from participating in the press pool violates the First Amendment because it is a viewpoint-based exclusion from a protected forum. The briefs further argue that the ban will chill speech by other members of the White House press pool.

On April 8, 2025, the D.C. district court granted the plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction. The D.C. Circuit stayed that decision pending appeal.

Status: Oral argument in the D.C. Circuit held on November 24, 2025.

Case Information: The Associated Press v. Budowich, No. 1:25-cv-00532 (D.D.C.), No. 25-5109 (D.C. Cir.).