A federal judge in Louisiana has issued a preliminary injunction that prohibits the Biden administration from collaborating with Big Tech companies to stifle the expression of Americans exercising their First Amendment rights.
Federal Judge Terry A. Doughty issued a temporary injunction on Independence Day blocking members of the Biden administration from having further contact with social media companies during a censorship trial. https://t.co/XwyiN5ZIag
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) July 4, 2023
U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty Of Louisiana acknowledged the gravity of the situation in his ruling, stating, “If the allegations made by Plaintiffs are true, the present case arguably involves the most massive attack against free speech in United States’ history.”
He further emphasized the defendants, including federal agencies and high-ranking officials, had blatantly disregarded the fundamental right of the first amendment.
In a detailed 155-page memorandum issued on July 4, the judge, who was appointed by former President Trump, specifically mentioned federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among others.
He declared that these agencies, as well as the Biden White House itself, are prohibited from coordinating with social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Google to suppress their political opponents. The Biden administration has previously acknowledged its collaboration with Big Tech to suppress information it deems “troublesome.”
The injunction extends not only to various federal agencies but also to President Joe Biden, his press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and other members of the Executive Office of the President.
Judge Doughty highlighted the alarming nature of the case, remarking, “Although this case is still relatively young…the evidence produced thus far depicts an almost dystopian scenario.”
He expressed confidence the case, filed by attorneys general Eric Schmitt of Missouri and Jeff Landry of Louisiana, would establish that the government employed its power to silence dissenting voices on crucial topics such as Covid-19, masking, vaccines, and the 2020 election.
The judge further noted the suppressed speech predominantly consisted of conservative ideas, highlighting the discriminatory nature of viewpoint suppression. He emphasized that American citizens have the right to engage in open debates on critical issues affecting the nation.
While several mainstream media outlets expressed dissatisfaction with Judge Doughty’s decision, characterizing it as a potential disruption to government-social media coordination and a victory for Republicans, Attorney General Eric Schmitt underscored the importance of free speech, stating, “Even if it isn’t an inflection point, I’ll never stop fighting for Free Speech in America.”
