The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in Murthy v. Missouri. At the center of the case is the federal government's coercing of social media companies to take down stories and content bureaucrats deemed "misinformation" during the COVID-19 pandemic. This type of censorship was repeatedly touted by the Biden White House.
Biden White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 20, 2021
“There are conservative news outlets who are creating irresponsible content that’s sharing misinformation…” pic.twitter.com/zRSqJt7WBU
Jen Psaki details the Biden administration's plan to demand more aggressive action from Facebook and other social media platforms on combatting "misinformation": pic.twitter.com/gN1uS9TRfO
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 15, 2021
During arguments, liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson came to the defense of the government and expressed concern the case would limit federal power.
KBJ doubles down: “My biggest concern is that your view has the First Amendment hamstringing the government in significant ways.”
— System Update (@SystemUpdate_) March 18, 2024
That is, quite literally, the entire point of the First Amendment—of the entire Bill of Rights. pic.twitter.com/gWMCaHDG1W
Jackson's claims about the First Amendment didn't sit well with constitutional scholars, including Republican Senator Eric Schmitt. Schmitt brought the case against the Biden administration when he served as Missouri's attorney general.
Sort of the point. https://t.co/XMzamIjlvV
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) March 18, 2024
The whole point of the First Amendment — and of the Constitution — is to “hamstring the government in significant ways.” https://t.co/g0pJRKJEZM
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) March 18, 2024
Listen to Justice Jackson expressing concern that the First Amendment may be used to restrict the government's power. No one with even an elementary understanding of constitutional law principles should say something like this. https://t.co/w1alNjtEXZ
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) March 18, 2024
This is the most horrifying thing I've ever heard from a Supreme Court Justice.
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 18, 2024
Ketanji Brown-Jackson is concerned that the First Amendment is making it harder for the government to censor speech.
That's literally the entire point.pic.twitter.com/oqBwVZQB0l
The White House is refusing to comment on the case and whether officials are still in touch with social media companies about censoring information.
Karine Jean-Pierre dodges questions on whether or not the Biden admin is advising social media companies on what content to censor:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 18, 2024
"I'm gonna be super mindful, super careful..." pic.twitter.com/rhHhZsGQST
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