Pettiness and superficiality characterize both the political and journalism spheres, but the ongoing drama between the Trump administration and the Associated Press is setting a new, low standard for triviality.

The AP was tossed from accessing White House events because of its refusal to refer to the body of water west of Florida, east of Texas and south of Louisiana as the Trump-preferred “Gulf of America.” No doubt there is more to the White House grudge against AP than what to call a body of water, but that is the working explanation for now.

The AP seemingly had won a round in this pillow fight when federal judge Trevor McFadden ordered the White House to restore AP access to the Oval Office and other limited spaces when other press outlets are also allowed. But the White House press managers bounced off the mat this week to again restrict AP access to the Oval Office meeting between President Trump and the president of El Salvador. The AP........

© The Hill