Federal Judge Blocks Paxton's Lawsuit Against ActBlue, Finding Retaliatory Motive
A federal judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction Thursday blocking Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from continuing his lawsuit against Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns ruled the suit was filed in retaliation for ActBlue's fundraising on behalf of James Talarico, Paxton's opponent in the Texas Senate race, and found it likely infringed on ActBlue's First Amendment protections. The ruling marks a significant legal setback for Paxton and raises questions about the use of state attorney general powers against political opponents.
U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns granted ActBlue a preliminary injunction in a 15-page ruling, finding that Paxton's April lawsuit — which alleged ActBlue enabled fraudulent and foreign donations through lax vetting practices — was more likely an act of political retaliation than a legitimate consumer protection effort. Stearns wrote that the timing and Paxton's own public statements drew a clear connection between the lawsuit and his Senate candidacy against Talarico, noting the suit was filed shortly after Talarico recorded a $2 million fundraising day. The judge concluded the evidence compelled a finding of bad faith, ruling that the litigation was designed to suppress ActBlue's fundraising for Paxton's rival rather than protect Texas consumers. ActBlue, which is based in Massachusetts, had countersued in Boston, arguing the Texas lawsuit was 'rife with false and inflammatory allegations' and violated its First Amendment rights. Separately, ActBlue has faced broader Republican scrutiny over its donor-vetting practices, including concerns about foreign donations and the use of prepaid debit cards, and its CEO recently invoked Fifth Amendment rights at a congressional hearing. Paxton had initiated an investigation into ActBlue in 2023 at the request of then-candidate Donald Trump before formally filing suit this year.
What's missing
It is also unclear whether Paxton plans to appeal the injunction.
How coverage differed
The Washington Examiner devoted considerably more space to ActBlue's broader controversies — including congressional hearings, Fifth Amendment invocations, and a New York Times report on internal memos — framing the story within a wider Republican narrative about foreign donations, while UPI focused more narrowly on the legal ruling and its First Amendment rationale.
What different sources said
- UPICenter
Judge blocks suit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against ActBlue
- Washington ExaminerRight
Judge blocks Paxton from suing ActBlue over Talarico campaign concerns
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