Judge rules RFK Jr can sue Biden admin for alleged social media censorship of vaccine-questioning charity
WASHINGTON, DC: A federal judge ruled Robert F Kennedy Jr could sue President Joe Biden's administration for allegedly censoring social media posts by the environmental lawyer's Children's Health Defense (CHD) charity that questioned vaccine safety.
"The Court finds that Kennedy is likely to succeed on his claim that suppression of content posted was caused by actions of Government Defendants, and there is a substantial risk that he will suffer similar injury in the near future," said US District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana in his Tuesday, August 20 ruling, as per the New York Post.
The 20-page ruling suggested that evidence supported Kennedy's claim that the Biden administration pressured social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube to censor the content posted by CHD that functions for "ending childhood health epidemics by eliminating toxic exposure."
Federal judge's ruling based on SCOTUS' Murthy v Missouri decision framework
According to Judge Terry Doughty, the lawsuit asserted social media posts of CHD voicing skepticism about how effective the Covid-19 vaccine and lockdowns were targetted by the Biden administration as part of its combat against "misinformation."
The CHD, founded by RFK Jr, is infamous for its anti-vaccine stance.
Kim Mack Rosenberg, CHD's general counsel, welcomed the ruling, saying it was the "correct conclusion with respect to standing for CHD and Mr Kennedy."
"Judge Terry Doughty carefully and clearly analyzed the law and facts and applied the framework from the US Supreme Court's recent decision in Murthy v Missouri regarding standing," added Rosenberg.
Murthy v Missouri case, brought by GOP attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana, accused the government of working with Big Tech to censor speech related to Covid-19, face masks, and the contents of Hunter Biden's laptop, as per Fox News.
In June, the SCOTUS, in a 6-3 decision, rolled back a similar decision stating plaintiffs lacked evidence linking the censorship to the federal government.
In the Kennedy case, Judge Doughty noted there was clear evidence tying the charity's censorship to the government. The case will return to the 5th District lower court for the review of the injunction.
Internet sides with RFK Jr as judge says he could sue Biden administration
Weighing on the federal court's decision allowing Robert F Kennedy Jr to sue the Biden administration over alleged social media censorship, netizens, advocating for free speech, supported the former third-party presidential candidate.
One wrote, "This needs to be done. The Biden administration has been way overstepping it's bounds," and another said, "Let this be the beginning of outlawing censorship that denies free speech!" another remarked.
A person noted, "The fact a judge is allowing this lawsuit to proceed is huge! At the center of this our government is trying to control free speech by calling it misinformation. Communist countries and dictatorships control what you can and can't say. Free speech is the heart of Democracy!!!"
"Wow. RFK Jr should do it if for no other reason to show America, the way he is being treated by his family and Democratic Party is pure abusive & character assassination against his dreams/causes. RFK Jr, I will never fault you for standing up for what you believe in. Fight!" read another comment.
One more remarked, "It’s his turn to use the justice system," while someone else added, "Ouch. I hope he does it. These antics have a price."
"More lawsuits are coming soon," declared an individual, with one more saying, "And now the tide turns!"
This needs to be done. The Biden administration has been way overstepping it's bounds.
— RandomAtomizer (@ST33LY_DAN) August 25, 2024
Let this be the beginning of outlawing censorship that denies free speech!
— Kevin Kernan (@JakeDallas75230) August 25, 2024
The fact a judge is allowing this lawsuit to proceed is huge!
— Chuck Clark (@ChuckCl39580059) August 25, 2024
At the center of this our government is trying to control free speech by calling it misinformation.
Communist countries and dictatorships control what you can and can't say.
Free speech is the heart of Democracy!!!
Wow. RFK Jr should do it if for no other reason to show America, the way he is being treated by his family and Democratic Party is pure abusive & character assassination against his dreams/causes. RFK Jr, I will never fault you for standing up for what you believe in. Fight!
— Steve J (@steve_jj84061) August 25, 2024
Ouch. I hope he does it. These antics have a price.
— SyrDoN - 3D and music artist (@iam_syrdon) August 25, 2024
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