Case: Media Matters for America v. Federal Trade Commission

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11771617) filed by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons, # 9 Summons, # 10 Summons, # 11 Summons, # 12 Summons, # 13 Summons)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 06/23/2025)

1 Exhibit A

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2 Exhibit B

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3 Exhibit C

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4 Exhibit D

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5 Civil Cover Sheet

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6 Summons

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7 Summons

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8 Summons

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9 Summons

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10 Summons

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11 Summons

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12 Summons

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13 Summons

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NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. Case related to Case No. 24-cv-147. (Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 06/23/2025)

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA (Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 06/23/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Justin A. Nelson on behalf of MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA (Nelson, Justin) (Entered: 06/23/2025)

SUMMONS (6) Issued Electronically as to FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK, MARK R. MEADOR, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmw) (Entered: 06/24/2025)

1 Notice and Consent

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MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Alexandra Foulkes Grafton, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11774214. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing, # 2 Declaration Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission, # 3 Proposed Order)(Foulkes Grafton, Alex) (Attachment 2 replaced on 6/25/2025) (mg). (Entered: 06/24/2025)

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Case Assigned to Judge Amit P. Mehta. (znmw)

ORDER. For the reasons explained in the attached Order, this matter is returned to the Calendar Committee for random reassignment since the exception provided for "related case" assignments in D.D.C. LCvR 40.5 does not apply. See the attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 6/25/2025. (lcapm1) (Entered: 06/25/2025)

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Case randomly reassigned to Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan pursuant to 7 Order dated 6/25/2025. Judge Amit P. Mehta is no longer assigned to the case. (ztnr)

Notice of Error

NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 6 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Alexandra Foulkes Grafton, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11774214. Fee Status: Fee Paid.. The following error(s) need correction: Invalid attorney signature- signature on document must match PACER login. Any attorney seeking to appear pro hac vice must file a motion signed by a sponsoring member of the Bar of this Court. Please refile. (zjm)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Alexandra Foulkes Grafton, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11782064. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing, # 2 Declaration Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission, # 3 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Motion for Admission of Attorney Pro Hac Vice)(Nelson, Justin) (Entered: 06/27/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Katherine M. Peaslee, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11782659. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Katherine M. Peaslee, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Nelson, Justin) (Entered: 06/27/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Matthew C. Behncke, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11787294. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 2 Declaration of Matthew C. Behncke, # 3 Text of Proposed Order Granting Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice)(Nelson, Justin) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

MINUTE ORDER granting the Plaintiff's 8 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court grants Alexandra Foulkes Grafton leave to appear pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 6/30/2025. (lcas)

NOTICE of Appearance by Alex Foulkes Grafton on behalf of MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA (Foulkes Grafton, Alex) (Entered: 07/01/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Kuntal Cholera, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11800892. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Pro Hac Vice Declaration of Kuntal Cholera, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 07/07/2025)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Ryan Quillian, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-11800902. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Pro Hac Vice Declaration of Ryan Quillian, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 07/07/2025)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

MINUTE ORDER granting the Plaintiff's 9 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court grants Katherine M. Peaslee leave to appear pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 7/8/2025. (lcas)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

MINUTE ORDER granting the Plaintiff's 9 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court grants Katherine M. Peaslee leave to appear pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 7/8/2025. (lcas)

MINUTE ORDER denying the Plaintiff's 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The attorney must submit a declaration that provides the attorney's telephone number. See LCvR 83.2(e)(2). Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 7/8/2025. (lcas)

MINUTE ORDER denying the Plaintiff's 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The attorney must submit a declaration that provides the attorney's telephone number. See LCvR 83.2(e)(2). Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 7/8/2025. (lcas)

NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine Marie Peaslee on behalf of MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA (Peaslee, Katherine) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine Marie Peaslee on behalf of MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA (Peaslee, Katherine) (Entered: 07/10/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 6/25/2025. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 8/24/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Delivery)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 07/14/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 07/01/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Delivery)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 07/14/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION served on 7/1/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Delivery)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 07/14/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. ANDREW N. FERGUSON served on 7/1/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Delivery)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 07/14/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. MARK R. MEADOR served on 7/1/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Delivery)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 07/14/2025)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK served on 7/1/2025 (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Delivery)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 07/14/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Imad Dean Abyad on behalf of All Defendants (Abyad, Imad) (Main Document 21 replaced on 7/15/2025) (zjm). (Entered: 07/14/2025)

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Declaration of Stephen P. Anthony, # 3 Exhibit A to Anthony Declaration, # 4 Exhibit B to Anthony Declaration, # 5 Exhibit C to Anthony Declaration, # 6 Declaration of Benjamin Dimiero, # 7 Declaration of Julie Millican, # 8 Declaration of Cynthia Padera, # 9 Text of Proposed Order)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 07/14/2025)

1 Memorandum in Support

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2 Declaration of Stephen P. Anthony

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3 Exhibit A to Anthony Declaration

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4 Exhibit B to Anthony Declaration

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5 Exhibit C to Anthony Declaration

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6 Declaration of Benjamin Dimiero

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7 Declaration of Julie Millican

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8 Declaration of Cynthia Padera

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9 Text of Proposed Order

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NOTICE of Appearance by H. Thomas Byron, III on behalf of All Defendants (Byron, H.) (Entered: 07/14/2025)

MINUTE ORDER granting the Plaintiff's 12 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court grants Kuntal Cholera leave to appear pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 7/14/2025. (lcas)

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

MINUTE ORDER granting the Plaintiff's 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court grants Ryan Quillian leave to appear pro hac vice in this case. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 7/14/2025. (lcas)

Order

MINUTE ORDER: In light of the Plaintiff's 1 Complaint and 22 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, the Court ORDERS the Parties to meet and confer and to file a joint status report addressing the following issues by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, July 16, 2025: (1) a proposed briefing schedule on the motion; (2) a statement addressing whether a hearing on the motion is necessary, and if so, three proposed dates and times for such a hearing; and (3) a statement addressing whether the Parties anticipate factual disputes between the declarants, and if so, whether the Parties believe an evidentiary hearing will be necessary to resolve the disputes and a proposal for proceeding with such a hearing, see LCvR 65.1(d). The Parties may also address any other issues that they believe will be helpful to the Court. Any disagreements should be noted in the Joint Status Report. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 7/14/2025. (lcas)

NOTICE of Appearance by Ryan K Quillian on behalf of MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA (Quillian, Ryan) (Entered: 07/15/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Kuntal Virendra Cholera on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Cholera, Kuntal) (Entered: 07/15/2025)

Joint STATUS REPORT by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Quillian, Ryan) (Entered: 07/16/2025)

MINUTE ORDER: In light of the Parties' 26 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the Defendants to file their response to the Plaintiff's 22 Motion for Preliminary Injunction by July 28, 2025, and the Plaintiff to file any reply in support of that motion by August 5, 2025. The Court directs the Parties to appear at oral argument on August 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 14 before Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on the Plaintiff's 22 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 7/17/2025. (lcas)

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings

Order

Memorandum in opposition to re 22 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by JOHN DOE, 1, JOHN DOE, 2, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK, MARK R. MEADOR. (Abyad, Imad) (Entered: 07/28/2025)

REPLY to opposition to motion re 22 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, filed by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 08/05/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Brenden J. Cline on behalf of MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA (Cline, Brenden) (Entered: 08/06/2025)

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer to Complaint by JOHN DOE, 1, JOHN DOE, 2, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK, MARK R. MEADOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Abyad, Imad) (Entered: 08/11/2025)

1 Text of Proposed Order

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MINUTE ORDER granting the Defendants' 30 Motion for Extension. The Court ORDERS the Defendants to respond to the Plaintiff's 1 Complaint within thirty days after the Court rules on the Plaintiff's 22 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 8/12/2025. (lcas)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Minute Entry for Motion Hearing held before Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 8/13/2025. Oral arguments submitted on Plaintiff's Motion 22 for Preliminary Injunction. Motion taken under advisement; forthcoming Order. The parties are ORDERED to file Supplemental Briefing by noon on 8/14/2025. (Court Reporter: Janice Dickman) (lsj)

Motion Hearing AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

Motion Hearing

SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM to the Court's August 13, 2025 Minute Order filed by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 08/14/2025)

NOTICE of Transcript by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 08/14/2025)

MEMORANDUM re Motion Hearing,, Set Deadlines, by JOHN DOE, 1, JOHN DOE, 2, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK, MARK R. MEADOR. (Abyad, Imad) (Entered: 08/14/2025)

MEMORANDUM OPINION re the Plaintiff's 22 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. See the attached document for details. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 8/15/2025. (lcas) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

ORDER granting the Plaintiff's 22 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. See the 34 Memorandum Opinion for details. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 8/15/2025. (lcas) (Entered: 08/15/2025)

NOTICE OF APPEAL TO DC CIRCUIT COURT as to 34 Memorandum & Opinion, 35 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction by JOHN DOE, 1, MARK R. MEADOR, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, JOHN DOE, 2, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK. Fee Status: No Fee Paid. Parties have been notified. (Byron, H.) (Entered: 08/18/2025)

Emergency MOTION to Stay re 35 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction Pending Appeal and Administrative Stay by JOHN DOE, 1, JOHN DOE, 2, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK, MARK R. MEADOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Byron, H.) (Entered: 08/18/2025)

1 Text of Proposed Order

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.Order

Order

MINUTE ORDER: On August 15, 2025, the Court granted the Plaintiff's 22 Motion for a Preliminary Injunction. See ECF No. 35. The Defendants have filed an 37 Emergency Motion to Stay the Court's Order Pending Appeal. The Court ORDERS the Plaintiff to respond to that 37 Motion by August 20, 2025, at 5:00 PM, and the Defendants to file any reply by August 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 08/18/2025. (lcal)

Transmission of the Notice of Appeal, Order Appealed (Memorandum Opinion), and Docket Sheet to US Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals docketing fee was not paid because the appeal was filed by the government re 36 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court,. (zjm) (Entered: 08/19/2025)

USCA Case Number

USCA Case Number 25-5302 for 36 Notice of Appeal to DC Circuit Court, filed by MARK R. MEADOR, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, JOHN DOE, 2, JOHN DOE, 1. (zjm)

Memorandum in opposition to re 37 Emergency MOTION to Stay re 35 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction Pending Appeal and Administrative Stay filed by MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Stephen P. Anthony, # 2 Exhibit A)(Anthony, Stephen) (Entered: 08/20/2025)

1 Declaration of Stephen P. Anthony

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2 Exhibit A

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REPLY to opposition to motion re 37 Motion to Stay, filed by JOHN DOE, 1, JOHN DOE, 2, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK, MARK R. MEADOR. (Byron, H.) (Entered: 08/21/2025)

MEMORANDUM OPINION re the Defendants' 37 Motion to Stay Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction Pending Appeal and Administrative Stay. See the attached document for details. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 8/22/2025. (lcal)

ORDER denying the Defendants' 37 Motion to Stay Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction Pending Appeal and Administrative Stay. See the 41 Memorandum Opinion for details. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 8/22/2025. (lcal) (Entered: 08/22/2025)

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS before Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan held on August 13, 2025; Page Numbers: 1-60. Date of Issuance: September 5, 2025. Court Reporter: Janice Dickman, Telephone number: 202-354-3267, Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order FormFor the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter.NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 9/26/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 10/6/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 12/4/2025.(Dickman, Janice) (Entered: 09/05/2025)

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by JOHN DOE, 1, JOHN DOE, 2, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK, MARK R. MEADOR. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Byron, H.) (Entered: 09/05/2025)

MINUTE ORDER granting 44 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer. The deadline to answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint is October 15, 2025. Signed by Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan on 9/8/2025. (lcal)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to JOHN DOE, 1, JOHN DOE, 2, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW N. FERGUSON, MELISSA ANN HOLYOAK, MARK R. MEADOR. Attorney Imad Dean Abyad terminated. (Abyad, Imad) (Entered: 09/10/2025)