Judge rejects attempt to block depositions of Biden officials in social media collusion case

A judge has rejected an attempt by several top Biden administration officials to keep them from having to testify in a lawsuit alleging the administration colluded with social media companies to suppress opposing viewpoints.

Judge Terry Doughty, of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, on Wednesday denied the partial stays requests from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly and White House Digital Strategy Director Rob Flaherty. 

Other defendants in the case filed last month by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry include White House Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and former Disinformation Governance Board Director Nina Jankowicz.

The attorneys general alleged the administration worked to encourage social media platforms to censor "disfavored" views and speakers. 

"The Court finds that both the public interest and the interest of the other parties in preserving free speech significantly outweigh the inconvenience the three deponents will have in preparing for and giving their depositions," Doughty, a Trump appointee, wrote in his ruling this week.