A federal appeals court in Washington pressed the Trump administration Thursday afternoon over its decision to bar the Associated Press from White House events, with one judge warning that press pools have long played a vital role in holding presidents accountable.

“During the Watergate period, the press pool was right in there with President Nixon,” said Judge Cornelia Pillard of the District of Columbia Circuit, pushing back on the administration’s argument that President Donald Trump can decide who’s allowed into his official events.