Federal Judge Blocks DeSantis from Censoring Pro-Abortion TV Ad: 'It's the First Amendment, Stupid'

A federal judge shared a blunt, five word response to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' decision to stop a pro-abortion ad from airing in the Sunshine State.

U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled in favor of the group Floridians Protecting Freedom (FPF) who alleged that Florida's Department of Health was censoring political speech after sending TV stations a cease-and-desist letter for airing the group's ad, as reported by the Florida Phoenix.

"To keep it simple for the State of Florida: it's the First Amendment, stupid," Walker wrote in court documents obtained by The Hill.

The ad in question advocated for Amendment 4, an upcoming ballot initiative that would codify abortion rights into Florida law and overturn the state's current six-week abortion ban.

FPF filed the lawsuit against John Wilson, the health department's general counsel, and Joseph Ladapo, the state's surgeon general, after the department threatened to sue. The campaign group alleged that the department's actions consisted of "unconstitutional coercion and viewpoint discrimination," as reported by CNN.

Walker ended up ruling in favor of FPF and granted the group a temporary restraining order effective until Oct. 29.

Lauren Brenzel, the campaign director for FPF, said in a statement, "The court has affirmed what we've known all along: the government cannot silence the truth about Florida's extreme abortion ban. It's a deadly ban that puts women's lives at risk. This ruling is a powerful reminder that Floridians will not back down in the face of government intimidation."

Meanwhile, the Department of Health defended their position. James Williams, the department's communications director, told the Florida Phoenix, "The fact is these ads are unequivocally false and detrimental to public health in Florida. The media continues to ignore the truth that Florida's heartbeat protection law always protects the life of a mother and includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest and human trafficking."

Another hearing will be held when the restraining order expires to determine if it should be extended.