On Monday, December 1, 2025, Fox News reported that U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young, who previously won a defamation suit against CNN, has appealed his similar suit against the Associated Press (AP). The appeal accuses the presiding judge, William Henry of Florida’s 14th Judicial Circuit, of bias due to a perceived “lack of judicial decorum.”

Young’s initial lawsuit against the AP stemmed from an article written by AP media reporter David Bauder in January 2025, which covered Young’s successful defamation trial against CNN. In the article, Bauder wrote that “Young’s business helped smuggle people out of Afghanistan.” Young claims this statement is defamatory.

Judge Henry, who also oversaw the CNN trial, dismissed Young’s lawsuit against the AP in September. In his dismissal, Henry likened Young’s suit to unnecessary movie sequels.

In the appeal filing, Young’s legal counsel, Lisa Paige Glass, argued that the court “incorrectly determined AP’s accusation that ‘Young’s business helped smuggle people out of Afghanistan’ was not defamatory.” Glass criticized Judge Henry’s comparison of human smuggling to “sneaking candy into a movie theater,” calling it inappropriate. She emphasized that human smuggling is a serious federal and international crime, not a trivial matter.

Young’s legal team further asserted that the court had “jumbled” the established stages of defamation analysis. They have requested a new judge for the case, alleging that Judge Henry harbors “disdain” for the matter. Glass stated that reassignment is necessary to ensure impartiality and maintain the appearance of justice.

During the CNN trial, Judge Henry was noted for his strict approach, frequently addressing CNN’s lead counsel, David Axelrod, who shares a name with the CNN commentator.

Glass told Fox News Digital that the court had reduced a false felony accusation to a trivial analogy. She expressed confidence that the First District would reinstate the basic principle of Florida law, which requires courts to consider the plain meaning of words.

The initial defamation case against CNN arose from the network’s coverage of Young’s efforts to help people evacuate Afghanistan during the Biden administration’s military withdrawal in 2021. A Florida jury found that CNN defamed Young by implying he illegally profited from these efforts on the “black market.” Young was awarded $4 million in lost earnings and $1 million in personal damages. The jury also deemed punitive damages warranted, although a settlement was reached before the jury could determine the amount.

While Judge Henry suggested Young’s claims against the AP were merely an attempt to rehash the CNN storyline against a different defendant, Young’s legal team maintains their conviction. Daniel Lustig, a partner at Pike & Lustig, told Fox News Digital that the case is about accountability. He argued that a major news organization’s accusation of “smuggling people” constitutes a direct criminal accusation that should not be dismissed or reinterpreted. Lustig expressed confidence that the First District would rectify the error and allow a jury to determine the meaning of the words used.

The AP has defended its reporting throughout the legal process. In a previous statement to Fox News Digital, an AP spokesperson stated that their story was a factual and accurate report on the jury verdict in Young’s favor and that they would vigorously defend their reporting against what they consider a frivolous lawsuit.

 

 

Source: Fox News