US FTC's investigation of trans youth care was 'retaliatory,' judge says

* 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.

A U.S. ​judge on Thursday derailed ​an investigation by the U.S. ‌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.