A federal judge temporarily blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) investigation into Media Matters for America on Friday, arguing the agency is likely in violation of the progressive media watchdog’s free speech rights. 

U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan, an appointee of former President Biden, ordered a preliminary injunction against the investigation, which was opened in May.

“It should alarm all Americans when the Government retaliates against individuals or organizations for engaging in constitutionally protected public debate. And that alarm should ring even louder when the Government retaliates against those engaged in newsgathering and reporting,” Sooknanan said in the 48-page ruling. “This case presents a straightforward First Amendment violation.” 

The FTC opened the probe into Media Matters in late May over whether the progressive media group improperly coordinated with advertisers. The anti-trust agency demanded correspondence between Media Matters and advertisers, along with its communications with watchdog groups. 

In response, Media Matters sued the FTC in June to block the agency’s probe, contending the investigation is an example of unlawful retaliation.

Media Matters president Angelo Carusone said in a statement Friday that the court’s ruling shows the “importance of fighting over folding, which far too many are doing when confronted with intimidation from the Trump administration.” 

Carusone said the case is not “just about the campaign to punish and silence Media Matters, however. It is a critical test for whether the courts will allow any administration – from any political party – to bully media and non-profit organizations through illegal abuses of power. We will continue to stand up and fight for the First Amendment rights that protect every American.”

Media Matters was sued by tech billionaire Elon Musk and social media platform X in 2023, arguing that the progressive media watchdog colluded with advertisers as part of an effort to pull advertising dollars from X.