Houston sued over sanctuary city policies, Live Nation found liable for monopolization, advertising agencies settle censorship claims, and Lululemon faces a PFAS investigation. Here is what came out of the Texas Attorney General’s office this week.
Paxton Sues Houston Over Sanctuary City Ordinance
Attorney General Paxton filed a lawsuit against the City of Houston, Mayor John Whitmire, city council members, and other defendants on April 16, targeting a recently passed city ordinance he says violates Senate Bill 4, Texas’s anti-sanctuary city law passed in 2017.
SB 4 prohibits local governments from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. According to the OAG, Houston’s new ordinance specifically bars Houston Police officers from stopping, arresting, or continuing to detain individuals based on an ICE administrative warrant while working in the field — a direct conflict with state law.
Paxton’s lawsuit seeks to permanently repeal the ordinance and extend legal protection to law enforcement officers who cooperate with federal immigration officials.
“I will not allow any local official to push sanctuary policies that make our communities less safe,” said Paxton. “Under my watch, no Texas city will be a safe harbor for illegals. Houston has no authority to ignore the Constitution and the laws duly enacted by the Legislature. I’m calling on Houston to immediately repeal this ordinance.”
Live Nation Found Liable for Monopolizing Live Entertainment
A federal court in New York entered a verdict on April 15 finding Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster liable for illegally monopolizing multiple markets in the ticketing and live entertainment industry — a major outcome in a multistate antitrust case that Paxton helped lead since 2024.
The lawsuit stemmed from the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation into what the company itself described as the “largest live entertainment company in the world.” According to the OAG, Live Nation used that dominance to force venues into exclusive agreements under threat of financial retaliation, leverage its control to pressure artists into restrictive promotional contracts, and drive up ticket prices through excessive and hidden fees.
The verdict establishes liability. Remedies and penalties — which Paxton says will include restitution to affected states and potentially breaking up Live Nation’s monopoly in ticketing and live entertainment — will be determined at a later proceeding.
“No corporation should be allowed to illegally monopolize an industry, but that is exactly what Live Nation has done,” said Paxton. “We will continue to pursue every possible remedy under the law to hold the company accountable, secure civil penalties, and restore fairness in the live entertainment industry.”
Court Orders End to Biden-Era Media Censorship Program
A federal district court entered a consent decree on April 15 ordering government entities tied to the Biden administration’s State Department to stop censoring constitutionally protected speech or directing third parties to do so.
The case dates to December 2023, when Paxton, joined by The Daily Wire and The Federalist, sued the U.S. Department of State, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and other officials over the use of the Global Engagement Center — a program legally authorized to counter foreign propaganda — to suppress domestic news content that conflicted with the Biden administration’s positions on COVID-19, vaccines, election integrity, abortion, and transgender issues.
The court’s order reinforces First Amendment protections and prohibits the use of federal resources for viewpoint-based suppression outside legitimate law enforcement or national security purposes.
“This is an especially bad day for the unprecedentedly corrupt Biden Administration that unlawfully weaponized the federal government to suppress free speech,” said Paxton. “The truth always prevails. I will continue to fight to protect the Constitution and stop media censorship.”
Advertising Giants Settle Antitrust Case Over Conservative Censorship
Also on April 15, Paxton secured a landmark settlement alongside the Federal Trade Commission and several other state attorneys general against three major advertising agencies — Dentsu US, Inc., GroupM Worldwide LLC (operating as WPP Media), and Publicis, Inc. — over alleged coordinated efforts to defund conservative media outlets and social media platforms.
The settlement requires the three companies to stop entering into or enforcing agreements that restrict advertising based on a publisher’s news content, political or social commentary, or ideological viewpoints. They cannot rely on exclusion lists built around political or DEI criteria. A court-appointed monitor will oversee ongoing compliance.
The OAG simultaneously filed a broader multistate antitrust lawsuit against additional advertising agencies involved in the alleged scheme. Targets of the coordinated defunding efforts over the years have included Charlie Kirk, Glenn Beck, Steve Bannon, Fox News, and the social media platform X. The settlements are subject to court approval.
“Freedom of speech is foundational to American liberty,” said Paxton. “This was an egregious attempt to control public opinion and silence those who speak out against the liberal elites and powerful corporations. I will continue to lead the fight against viewpoint suppression.”
Paxton Opens Investigation into Lululemon Over PFAS Chemicals
On April 13, Paxton issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Lululemon USA Inc., launching a formal investigation into whether the activewear brand has misled consumers about the safety of its products — specifically regarding the potential presence of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals.”
Lululemon markets itself as a wellness and sustainability brand and generated more than $11 billion in fiscal year 2025. Paxton’s investigation will examine whether the company’s athletic apparel contains PFAS compounds associated with endocrine disruption, infertility, and cancer — chemicals that health-conscious consumers would not expect in products sold under a wellness banner.
The OAG will review Lululemon’s Restricted Substances List, internal testing protocols, and supply chain practices to determine whether the company’s products meet its own stated safety standards and whether its marketing claims comply with Texas consumer protection law.
“Americans should not have to worry if they are being deceived when trying to make healthy choices for themselves and their families,” said Paxton. “I will not allow any corporation to sell harmful, toxic materials to consumers at a premium price under the guise of wellness and sustainability. If Lululemon has violated Texas law, it will be held accountable.”
For more information on actions from the Texas Office of the Attorney General, visit texasattorneygeneral.gov or contact [email protected].
