California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Mar. 10 that he has joined a group of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief against the Federal Trade Commission’s demand for documentation from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding its clinical guidance on gender-affirming care.
The coalition argues that the FTC’s request targets respected scientific organizations and could undermine public health efforts by states. The issue centers on a civil investigative demand issued by the FTC to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seeking extensive records related to its 2018 clinical guidance, which was reaffirmed in 2023, for supporting transgender and gender-diverse youth.
“The Federal Trade Commission’s demand is the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to undermine crucial healthcare resources for transgender individuals and the providers they trust,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “The FTC’s demands have no basis beyond the Administration’s personal disagreement with what the AAP recommends. We will not stand by as Trump attempts to advance his hateful agenda against scientific organizations and damage states’ abilities to support the health of our residents. We will continue to fight to uphold the law and protect transgender individuals from unfair attacks.”
According to court filings, after receiving the CID on January 15, 2026, AAP filed a motion with the FTC to quash it and later sought a preliminary injunction in federal court, arguing that enforcement would interfere with its First Amendment rights. The amicus brief submitted by Bonta and other attorneys general asks the U.S. District Court for a preliminary injunction blocking further action by the FTC.
The California Attorney General’s office promotes transparency and informed public policy through tools like the OpenJustice portal for publishing criminal justice data, according to the official website. It serves as an integral part of California’s executive branch as outlined in the state constitution according to its official website, exercising authority across all of California.
Rob Bonta leads this office according to its official website, which acts as California’s chief law enforcement authority focused on enforcing state laws, protecting public rights and safety, and advancing initiatives in civil rights, consumer protection, and environmental justice according to its official website.
Bonta was joined in this legal action by attorneys general from Illinois, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
