Federal Judge Upholds Free Speech, Extends Order to Protect Florida Abortion Rights Ads from State Censorship

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal judge in Florida has recently reinforced a ban preventing state health officials from issuing threats or penalties against TV stations that broadcast ads supporting an abortion rights initiative slated for a public vote next week. The measure, if passed, aims to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution, countering current restrictive laws. Judge Mark Walker issued the extension of a temporary restraining order in favor of the advocacy group Floridians Defending Freedom, which produced the contentious advertisements. The campaign seeks to prevent any interference from State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo … Read more

Florida Health Department’s Top Lawyer Resigns Amid Unconstitutional Efforts to Suppress Abortion Measure Ads

Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health is embroiled in controversy after the agency’s top lawyer resigned earlier this month, alleging that Governor Ron DeSantis’s closest legal advisers issued unconstitutional directives to quash an advertising campaign supporting an abortion rights ballot measure. According to court documents filed Monday, the now-former General Counsel John Wilson claims he was ordered to send threatening letters to approximately 50 television stations statewide, warning of potential criminal charges if they continued to air the ads. The controversial Amendment 4, if passed, would modify the Florida Constitution to prevent the … Read more

Former Florida Health Official Accuses Governor’s Office of Directing Threats to TV Stations Over Abortion Rights Ads

Tallahassee, Florida — In a striking sworn affidavit, a former attorney for the Florida Department of Health reported that directives to threaten TV stations with criminal prosecution for running abortion rights ads came from the top aides of Governor Ron DeSantis. The letters, originally perceived as efforts by state health authorities, were actually crafted by DeSantis’ deputies. John Wilson, who once served as the general counsel for the Florida Department of Health, stated that he was given these pre-written letters on October 3. His instruction was to distribute them under his name, thereby involving the … Read more

Judge Unseals Trump Election-Fraud Evidence, Dismisses Claims of Political Harm Ahead of Harris Campaign Ads

Washington, D.C. – In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan denied former President Donald Trump’s request to seal evidence in his ongoing election-fraud case. The decision paved the way for public access to materials that the former president contends could be used against him politically. Chutkan has scheduled the unsealing of the evidence appendix for Friday, countering Trump’s concerns about potential use of the materials in Vice President Kamala Harris’s current presidential campaign. Trump faces multiple charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding, among others, all … Read more