A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction to block members of Democrat President Joe Biden’s administration from meeting with Big Tech companies.
President Donald Trump-appointed federal Judge Terry A. Doughty issued the order on Independence Day during a censorship trial.
The judge is presiding over a case brought by Missouri and Louisiana.
The case challenges the Biden admin’s efforts to block so-called “misinformation” about Covid and elections on social media.
Critics allege that the federal government censored free speech.
The Biden admin is accused of using private companies to carry out actions that it cannot take under the First Amendment.
In so doing, the federal government stifled scientific debate and blocked Americans from discussing true information.
Biden’s federal agencies effectively weaponized social media platforms to help Democrats and hurt Republicans in recent elections.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday:
The injunction came in response to a lawsuit brought by Republican attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri, who allege that government officials went too far in their efforts to encourage social media companies to address posts that they worried could contribute to vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic or upend elections.
The Trump-appointed judge’s move could upend years of efforts to enhance coordination between the government and social media companies.
The injunction was a victory for the state attorneys general, who have accused the Biden administration of enabling a “sprawling federal ‘Censorship Enterprise’” to encourage tech giants to remove politically unfavorable viewpoints and speakers, and for conservatives who’ve accused the government of suppressing their speech.
In their filings, the attorneys general alleged the actions amount to “the most egregious violations of the First Amendment in the history of the United States of America.”
…
In his order, the judge made some exceptions for communications between the government officials and the companies, including to warn them of national security threats or criminal activity.
🚨BREAKING: A Federal Judge in Missouri v. Biden just granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting the FBI, DOJ, DHS & other agencies from working with Big Tech to censor on social media
Big win for the First Amendment on this Independence Day🇺🇸
I’m proud to have led the fight. pic.twitter.com/59FzDVuI4f
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) July 4, 2023
Judge Doughty previously ruled that former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki could be deposed in the case.
The ruling came after the Biden admin tried to block her testimony.
READ MORE: Obama Calls for ‘Digital Fingerprints’ to Help Censor ‘Misinformation’ Online
