The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Biden administration in a dispute with Republican-led states regarding the federal government’s authority to address controversial social media posts related to topics like COVID-19 and election security.
By a 6-3 vote, the justices overturned lower-court rulings that supported claims by states like Louisiana and Missouri that the Democratic administration pressured social media platforms to silence conservative viewpoints unconstitutionally.
The big picture: Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the court, stating that the states and other parties lacked the legal standing to sue, with Justices Alito, Gorsuch and Thomas dissenting.
- The case is part of several this term involving social media companies and free speech, including laws in Florida and Texas and public officials blocking social media followers.
- The disputes revolve around allegations of censoring conservative viewpoints, with claims that government officials pressured social media platforms to change online content.
- While concerns were raised during arguments, the Biden administration highlighted the implications of losing the ability to address issues like antisemitism, national security, and public health with social media platforms.
- The Supreme Court decision did not address the substance of the claims, focusing instead on the lack of standing of the plaintiffs to seek an injunction.
Flashback: The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had previously ruled that the Biden administration applied unconstitutional pressure on media platforms, leading to the eventual Supreme Court ruling in this case.
