In a sharply worded order, a federal judge issues a temporary restraining order after a lawsuit was filed against the state by a group campaigning for the abortion-rights amendment proposal.

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker granted a temporary restraining order against Florida’s surgeon general after the state health department threatened to bring criminal charges against broadcasters airing the ad.

The state of Florida’s crusade against Amendment 4 is unconstitutional government interference — full stop,” said Lauren Brenzel, the Floridians Protecting Freedom campaign director.

A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order Thursday to keep the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration from threatening TV stations with criminal prosecution for playing Amendment 4 abortion rights commercials.

A federal judge in Florida ordered the state to stop threatening TV stations with criminal charges if they run an ad in support of an abortion rights referendum.

Floridians Protecting Freedom accused the Health Department of launching a “campaign of intimidation” against the state’s abortion rights ballot measure.

It has become clear in recent days that I cannot join you on the road that lies before the agency.” His resignation came seven days after he sent cease-and-desist letters to Florida television stations that threatened to criminally prosecute them if they did not take down political advertisements in support of Amendment 4,

Update: A federal judge temporarily barred the DeSantis administration from intimidating and coercing television stations that air ads in support of the proposed Amendment 4, which would bar government interference in abortion.

Cancer survivor featured in campaign ad slams state officials for ‘abuse of power’ after threats to TV stations