DeSantis admin blocked in abortion ad fight until after Election Day, judge rules

A Florida judge extended a temporary restraining order until after the election that blocks the state government from threatening to take legal action against television stations over pro-abortion ads. 

Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group behind the Amendment 4 Right to Abortion Initiative to enshrine abortion in the state constitution, which is on the ballot on Election Day, filed a lawsuit earlier this month against Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and former health department counsel John Wilson, following threats from the Florida Department of Health to TV stations over abortion ads aired.

In its letter, the health department stated the advertisements were "false" and "dangerous" and requested the ads be removed within 24 hours, or it would proceed with legal measures.

DESANTIS CAMPAIGNS AGAINST HIGH-STAKES ABORTION MEASURE ON FLORIDA BALLOT: 'BAIT AND SWITCH' LEGISLATION

District Judge Mark E. Walker initially granted the plaintiff's request for a temporary restraining order. The order was set to expire on Tuesday, but Walker extended it until Nov. 12 - one week after the election.

"…this Court concludes that Plaintiff continues to have standing for the same reasons articulated in the temporary restraining order and that good cause exists to extend the temporary restraining order, because this Court requires additional time to review the arguments for and against the motion for preliminary injunction and to draft an Order on the motion," Walker wrote in the order. 

DESANTIS ADMIN BLOCKED FROM THREATENING TV STATIONS OVER PRO-ABORTION ADS