A federal judge on Friday declined to further enforce his order directing the White House to restore The Associated Press’s access to certain spaces, signaling that while top officials are owed a presumption of good faith, violations of his directive would be met with a heavy hand.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, an appointee of President Trump, said he’s inclined to agree with the government that its new policy – which eliminates a permanent slot for all wire services but makes them eligible for selection as part of the pool’s daily print journalist rotation – does not, on its face, discriminate against the AP.

“I don’t intend to micromanage the White House,” McFadden said while handing down his decision.

However, he said that........

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