The White House barred an Associated Press reporter from entering an Oval Office event Tuesday after the wire service refused to bow to President Trump’s demand that it change its style on the Gulf of Mexico, which Mr. Trump has renamed the Gulf of America.

The reporter was blocked as they tried to enter a press event in which Mr. Trump signed an executive order alongside Elon Musk, who answered reporters’ questions about the Department of Government Efficiency. 

In a statement, Julie Pace, senior vice president and executive editor of the Associated Press, blasted the Trump administration for the move.

“It is alarming that the Trump administration would punish AP for its independent journalism,” she said. “Limiting our access to the Oval Office based on the content of the AP’s speech not only severely impedes the public’s access to independent news, it plainly violates the First Amendment.” 

The White House Correspondents’ Association also issued a strong rebuke. The WHCA is composed of multiple news outlets that cover the White House and the president, including The Washington Times.

“The White House cannot dictate how news organizations report the news nor should it penalize working journalists because it is unhappy with editors’ decisions. The move by the administration to bar a reporter from The Associated Press from an official event open to news coverage today is unacceptable,” said WHCA President Eugene Daniels. 

A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. No other reporters were banned from the event, according to the Associated Press. 

Mr. Trump this week signed an executive order changing the body of water’s name from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. In response, Google Maps began using Gulf of America, citing its practice of following the U.S. government’s lead on names. Apple Maps was still using the Gulf of Mexico. 

The AP said it would continue to use the “Gulf of Mexico” moniker. The news agency said that because it disseminates news around the world, it must ensure that names and geography are recognizable to global audiences. 

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.