Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Over Biden State Department’s Social Media Censorship

The Justice Department announced this week that it has settled litigation challenging the Biden State Department’s alleged censorship of American citizens’ speech on social media platforms. The lawsuit centered on claims that the State Department, through its Global Engagement Center, funded and promoted private companies’ development of tools used by social media platforms to downgrade, demonetize, and suppress constitutionally protected speech.

Plaintiffs argued these actions violated the First Amendment by enabling the government to covertly influence what Americans could say online. The Global Engagement Center, a now-closed agency, was accused of weaponizing misinformation and disinformation claims to silence viewpoints the administration found unfavorable.

The settlement explicitly references President Trump’s January 2025 executive order titled “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship.” This order condemned the previous administration’s efforts to police online speech under the guise of combating false information, calling it an infringement on free speech rights that advanced the government’s preferred narrative on key public debates.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche declared, “The weaponization of the Biden Administration against the American people who they disfavored is over.” He framed the settlement as a historic correction ensuring such censorship tactics will not happen again.

Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. added, “The Biden Administration muted speech it didn’t like. But progressive elites cannot oust conservative viewpoints from the public square.” He touted the settlement as proof the Department of Justice is fulfilling President Trump’s promise to end government weaponization against ordinary Americans.

Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate emphasized the DOJ’s commitment to free speech, stating, “The Federal Government has no business promoting and funding tools to censor domestic media or citizens. This resolution ensures the unlawful practices at issue will not recur.”

The case, Daily Wire v. Department of State, was heard in the Eastern District of Texas. The court denied government motions to dismiss and transfer venue, allowing plaintiffs to pursue discovery and seek a preliminary injunction. The settlement now avoids further litigation.

This development highlights ongoing battles over government influence on online speech and the limits of federal power in regulating digital platforms. It also underscores how Trump-era policies continue to shape the DOJ’s approach to censorship and free speech under the Biden administration.

For those concerned about democratic integrity and civil rights, this settlement signals a rare admission of government overreach and a rollback of covert censorship efforts that threaten constitutional freedoms.

Read the full Justice Department press release here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-settles-lawsuit-challenging-biden-state-departments-alleged-social-1