A federal judge in Washington on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health challenging a Federal Trade Commission civil investigative demand, finding the case moot after the agency withdrew the demand^1,2.

Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted the FTC's motion in World Professional Association for Transgender Health v. Federal Trade Commission, Civil Action No. 26-532².

The FTC issued the demand in January 2026 seeking records related to WPATH's work on gender-affirming care, including its Standards of Care². WPATH sued, arguing the demand violated its First Amendment rights².

The court earlier granted a preliminary injunction, finding WPATH was likely to succeed on a First Amendment retaliation claim². The FTC later filed a civil enforcement action against WPATH in the Northern District of Texas and withdrew the demand, saying it was no longer necessary².

Boasberg wrote that with no demand pending, there was nothing for the court to enjoin, and a declaration about the withdrawn demand would be an advisory opinion².

The opinion said the Texas enforcement action is a separate controversy and that the D.C. court cannot grant relief that would affect present rights². WPATH had not produced materials under the demand, the court said².

Reuters reported the same ruling on Thursday¹. Similar investigative demands to other medical groups were described in the opinion as the subject of separate suits².