A U.S. federal judge on Thursday blocked an investigation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into two prominent medical organizations that support gender-affirming care for transgender youth. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that the FTC could not demand internal communications, financial records, and other documents from the Endocrine Society and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
The FTC had stated that it was investigating whether consumers were exposed to “false or unsupported claims” related to gender-affirming care. The probe followed executive actions by President Donald Trump declaring that the U.S. government would recognize only two sexes — male and female — and directing federal agencies to end funding or support for gender-affirming care for minors. The two medical groups sued the FTC in February, alleging the investigation was politically motivated retaliation intended to silence them.
Judge Boasberg granted preliminary injunctions in favor of the organizations, stating they were likely to succeed in proving their retaliation claims. Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics over a similar FTC demand remains pending before another federal judge in Washington, who has yet to rule on the group’s request for an injunction.
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