U.S. Appeals Court Revives Dr. Scott Jensen's Free Speech Lawsuit Against Minnesota Medical Board
A U.S. Court of Appeals has revived a lawsuit filed by Dr. Scott Jensen against the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. Jensen, a Republican candidate for state auditor, alleges that the board targeted him with investigations over his views on COVID-19, leading him to self-censor his campaign messaging. The lawsuit, which had been previously dismissed by federal judges, centers on First Amendment grounds, arguing that the board's actions infringed upon his right to free speech. Court of Appeals judge David Stras stated that the years of investigations caused Jensen to speak less and spend more, which is sufficient reason for a court to hear his case. Jensen had filed the lawsuit in 2023 after an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign, claiming the board received numerous complaints about him spreading misinformation regarding the coronavirus.