First Amendment and Press Access

A D.C. Circuit panel of Judges Robert Wilkins, Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao heard the Associated Press’ appeal over press access to invitation‑only venues such as the Oval Office and Air Force One. DOJ attorney Yaakov Roth argued the president may invite favored reporters to those venues without adhering to viewpoint‑neutrality rules, while AP attorney Charles Tobin said the First Amendment applies inside the Oval Office and forbids retaliatory access restrictions; an order is expected in the coming weeks, AP said "the First Amendment doesn’t stop at the Oval Office door" and the White House did not immediately comment.