A Biden-appointed judge has blocked a criminal investigation into Soros-funded Media Matters, shielding the left-wing smear organization from scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and accusing the Trump administration of illegal retaliation. US District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan, issuing an injunction on Friday, labeled the probe a “straightforward First Amendment violation,” effectively halting efforts to expose Media Matters’ alleged manipulations.
This ruling comes amid escalating tensions over Media Matters’ role in targeting conservative voices and advertisers, with critics arguing it’s a blatant deep-state maneuver to protect Soros’ network of influence from accountability. Sooknanan’s decision not only stymies the FTC’s inquiry but also raises questions about judicial bias under Biden’s appointees, potentially allowing the group to continue its campaigns unchecked. As Trump vows to drain the swamp, this injunction underscores the entrenched resistance from holdover elements, fueling demands for reform and transparency in a system seemingly rigged to favor globalist agendas.
Infowars.com reports: “On the merits, the Court finds that Media Matters is likely to succeed on its First Amendment retaliation claim, which is all it needs at this stage,” Judge Sooknanan found.
“Media Matters engaged in quintessential First Amendment activity when it published an online article criticizing Mr. Musk and X. And the Court finds that the FTC’s expansive CID [civil investigative demand] is a retaliatory act. There can be no doubt that such a CID would deter a reporter of ordinary firmness from speaking again. Indeed, the FTC’s CID has had its intended effect. Because of the CID, Media Matters has decided against pursuing certain stories about the FTC, Chairman Ferguson, and Mr. Musk. Finally, given the comments by Chairman Ferguson and his colleagues about Media Matters, the timing of the CID, and evidence of pretext, Media Matters is likely to show that retaliatory animus was the but-for cause of the FTC’s CID.”
The FTC announced in May that it would investigate Media Matters over claims it colluded with other groups to force advertisers off Twitter after it was purchased by Elon Musk in 2022.
After Media Matters published a report accusing X of placing adverts from major brands next to “extremist” content, Musk accused the group of manipulating data and filed a lawsuit for fraud and defamation.
Musk’s lawsuit accuses Media Matters of deploying “coordinated, inauthentic behavior” to mislead advertisers, leading to an exodus from the platform that cost it $75 million in lost revenue.
Musk has sworn to pursue “not just the organization, but anyone funding that organization.” He has described his lawsuit as “thermonuclear.”
The Texas and Missouri attorneys general initiated their own investigations into the group’s activities.
In response to these multiple legal threats, Media Matters has been forced to scale back its operations and lay off large numbers of staff. There have even been suggestions the group will shutter its operations entirely.
Angelo Carusone, president of Media Matters, has accused the Trump administration of abusing its authority by pursuing the group. “The Trump administration has been defined by naming right-wing media figures to key posts and abusing the power of the federal government to bully political opponents and silence critics. It’s clear that’s exactly what’s happening here, given Media Matters’ history of holding those same figures to account. These threats won’t work; we remain steadfast to our mission.”
