Doctor Critical of Covid Response Sees Free Speech Suit Halted

A federal court in Puerto Rico halted a doctor’s suit over a medical board order directing her to stop publicly criticizing the government’s Covid-19 response because a state administrative action is pending against her.

Sally Priester can’t proceed with the suit in the US District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for now, but may seek reinstatement of her claims for money damages once the administrative proceeding is complete, the court said.

The Younger abstention doctrine cautions federal courts to refrain from interfering in legal actions that are pending in state courts. Priester didn’t dispute that it also applies ...