Court Blocks Ruling That Barred Biden Admin From Demanding Social Media Censorship

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

A federal appeals court has handed the Biden administration a temporary victory by agreeing to put a temporary hold on an earlier district courtโ€™s ruling that prohibited a range of federal agencies and their staff from contacting social media companies with requests to censor constitutionally protected free speech.

On Friday, a three-judge panel for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans issued a decision granting the Biden administrationโ€™s request to put the censorship-by-proxy ban on hold.

The โ€œtemporary administrative stayโ€ will be in place until the case is referred to a different appeals panel, which will deliberate on the merits of a ruling that barred Biden administration officials from pressuring social media companies to censor free speech.

The DOJ told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that it was not providing any comment on Fridayโ€™s decision.

Fridayโ€™s decision is the latest chapter in a saga that was sparked by a censorship-by-proxy lawsuit brought by Louisiana and Missouri against Biden administration agencies and top officials after evidence emerged that various federal agencies and some of their senior staff pressured social media companies to censor Americansโ€™ free speech.

Historic Ruling

On July 4, Judge Terry A. Doughty of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana issued a ruling (pdf) that various government agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the State Department, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are prohibited from taking a range of actions regarding social media companies.

Specifically, the agencies and their staff members are prohibited from meeting or contacting by phone, email, or text message or โ€œengaging in any communication of any kind with social-media companies urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner for removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech,โ€ per the injunction.

The agencies are also barred from flagging content on posts on social media platforms and forwarding them to the companies with requests for action such as removing or otherwise suppressing their reach.

Byย Tom Ozimek

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Epsteinโ€™s Niece Exposes the Illuminati!

There is a shocking interview by the podcaster Shaun Attwood, an English former ecstasy trafficker turned YouTube podcaster, speaker, activist, and author.

When Gynocrats Attack: Innocent Locker Room Talk Interrupted By Rabid Karen

The question posed: โ€œWho do you think has a...

Obamaโ€™s Treason is a Betrayal of American Democracy and Demands Real Accountability

Few scandals have cast a longer shadow than the 2016 Russia investigationโ€”the manufactured crisis by President Obama designed to cripple Trump's presidency.

Chronic Grievous Insufficiency

A president's physical vigor, stamina, and mental acuity are essential to his ability to fulfill the duties of office and those qualities should matter with no regard to party affiliation.

Russiagate – Obama’s Coup Against Trump?

I had little confidence in wrongs committed by D.C. official elites being rectified, but Gabbardโ€™s disclosures provides impetus for reassessment.

US Witnessing โ€˜CapEx Comebackโ€™ as Investment Wave Hits Economy: Treasury

The U.S. economy is experiencing a โ€œCapEx Comebackโ€ this year as private-sector investment soars, the Treasury Department said.

What to Know About New ‘Visa Integrity Fee’

New refundable โ€œVisa Integrity Feeโ€ for foreign nationals applying for nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States.

Oregon High School Athletes File First Amendment Lawsuit Over Podium Protest

AFPI filed lawsuit for Oregon high school athletes, alleging OSAA violated their First Amendment rights by punishing their peaceful protest of boy competing in girlsโ€™ event.

Professional Wrestling Legend, Hulk Hogan, Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, former WWE superstar and one of the most recognizable figures in the sports entertainment industry, has died at 71 years old.

Trump Pulls Habbaโ€™s Nomination for New Jerseyโ€™s Top Prosecutor, Making Her Acting US Attorney

President Trump withdrew his nomination of Alina Habba to serve as NJโ€™s top federal prosecutor, making her Acting US Attorney.

Trump Says He Wants Muskโ€™s Companies to โ€˜Thrive Like Never Beforeโ€™

On Thursday, President Trump said, โ€œI want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!โ€

DOJ Forms Strike Force to Assess DNI Findings on Russia Collusion Allegations

DOJ is forming task force following the declassification of docs that shed light on origins of false claims that Trump won 2016 election with Russiaโ€™s help.

Trump Doesnโ€™t Support Government Doing Business With Muskโ€™s AI Company: White House

Trump is not interested in allowing the federal govt to do business with Elon Muskโ€™s AI company, WH press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on July 23.
spot_img

Related Articles