FTC’s investigation of trans youth care was ‘retaliatory,’ judge says

A federal judge on Thursday derailed an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, a consumer protection agency, into two medical groups that support gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg blocked the FTC from demanding documents like internal communications and financial records from the Endocrine Society and World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

The FTC has said it is investigating whether “consumers are being or have been exposed to false or unsupported claims about ‘gender-affirming care.'”

Here are some details:

• The investigation came after orders by President Donald Trump that the United States would recognize only two sexes, male and female, and directed agencies to end all federal funding or support for gender-affirming care for minors.

• The two medical groups filed lawsuits in February, saying the FTC demanded documents from them as part of a retaliation campaign meant to silence them.

• The judge granted their requests for preliminary injunctions, saying they were likely to prevail on the merits of their retaliation claims.

• A similar lawsuit by the American Academy of Pediatrics is still pending before a different judge in Washington, who has not yet ruled on that group’s injunction request.