The White House is defending its decision to prevent the Associated Press from covering President Donald Trump after the wire service issued guidance that it would not call the Gulf of Mexico by its new name,

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responds to a question from a reporter on Wednesday (February 12) about whether denying access to an Associated Press reporter over a 'Gulf of Mexico' naming issue is setting a precedent.

"If we feel that there are lies being pushed by outlets in this room, we are going to hold those lies accountable," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration's move Tuesday to block an AP reporter from attending events in the Oval Office and the Diplomatic Reception Room because of AP's style policy on the "Gulf of America.