Justice Department Settles Lawsuits Challenging Biden Administration’s Alleged Social Media Coercion and Deplatforming

The Justice Department this week announced the settlement of litigation alleging that the Biden administration induced social media companies to suppress disfavored speech by American citizens. The lawsuits alleged that inducing social media companies to suppress disfavored speech violated the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The settlements implement President Trump's Executive Order, entitled "Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship," acknowledging that "the previous administration trampled free speech rights by censoring Americans' speech on online platforms, often by exerting substantial coercive pressure on third parties, such as social media companies, to moderate, deplatform, or otherwise suppress speech that the Federal Government did not approve." 90 Fed. Reg. 8243 (Jan. 28, 2025).

"The Biden administration coerced social media companies to stifle free speech that they disapproved of," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "These Department of Justice settlements are key steps in undoing those abuses of the First Amendment, especially against conservative media. We will never waver on protecting Americans' right to speak freely."

"This Department is committed to upholding the First Amendment rights of all Americans," said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, of the Civil Division. "No one should have their right to engage in constitutionally protected speech online infringed by unlawful government coercion of social media companies."

The United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana found that U.S. Government actors likely had caused certain plaintiffs to be deplatformed by major social media companies. Now, the Department's agreements with plaintiffs avoid the need for continued litigation in these cases. Missouri v. Biden, No. 3:22-cv-1213 (W.D. La.); Children's Health Defense v. Biden, No. 23-cv-0381 (W.D. La.).

Securing the right of the American people to engage in constitutionally protected speech is a priority of the Department of Justice. Additional information about the Civil Division is available at www.justice.gov/civil.