Overview

• Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan granted a preliminary injunction blocking the FTC’s civil investigative demand as likely a retaliatory violation of the First Amendment.
• The ruling highlighted FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson’s public remarks casting the probe in ideological terms, suggesting partisan motivation.
• Social-media posts by senior FTC staff were cited as further evidence that the agency targeted Media Matters over its reporting on advertiser placements.
• The decision noted that the FTC never adequately explained its reasons for the investigation, listing only "see attached" in its subject field.
• X Corp.’s lawsuit against Media Matters remains active in Texas as MMFA pushes to transfer the case to California on grounds of venue shopping.