The nation’s largest pediatricians organization has taken the Federal Trade Commission to court, claiming the agency is conducting an unconstitutional investigation targeting their position on medical care for transgender children.
On Tuesday, the American Academy of Pediatrics filed the federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., contesting the FTC’s January demand for extensive documentation related to the group’s stance on gender-affirming treatments for young people.
The medical organization argues that the federal agency’s information request violates constitutional free speech protections and represents payback from President Trump’s administration for the group’s advocacy positions.
“Unable to prevail in the marketplace of ideas, the FTC has resorted to burdening AAP with an intrusive and expensive investigation that is unconstitutional and outside the scope of the FTC’s statutory authority,” the pediatricians stated in their court filing, which asks a judge to halt the document demand.
The FTC has not yet provided a response to requests for comment on the legal challenge.
According to court documents, the Federal Trade Commission issued what amounts to a subpoena on January 15, investigating potential false advertising or deceptive practices related to how the organization promotes “pediatric gender dysphoria treatment.” Gender dysphoria refers to the medical diagnosis for distress caused when someone’s gender identity differs from their biological sex at birth.
This federal investigation follows Trump’s executive orders from January 2025 that established official recognition of only male and female sexes while directing government agencies to halt all federal support for gender-affirming medical care for minors.
The pediatricians group contends the FTC is specifically targeting them over a 2018 policy statement where they endorsed appropriate medical interventions to help transgender youth.
Just three days before the trade commission’s document request, a federal judge prevented the Department of Health and Human Services from canceling nearly $12 million in grant money awarded to the pediatricians organization. That funding was terminated following disputes with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding vaccine policy changes.
The medical group is also pursuing separate litigation challenging federal health officials’ efforts under Kennedy to modify vaccine policies in ways they believe will reduce immunization rates and damage public health.
Established in 1930 and headquartered in the Chicago region, the American Academy of Pediatrics represents 67,000 pediatricians and pediatric specialists across various medical fields.
