October Term 2023 · Docket 23-411
Can the government force private platforms to remove protected speech?
Missouri claims federal officials coerced social media companies to suppress user content. The government argues it only persuaded private speakers.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court order was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Fletcher argued the government may not use coercive threats. He emphasized the distinction between persuasion and coercion.
Aguiñaga argued government censorship has no place in democracy. He cited a large record showing unrelenting pressure on platforms.
Fletcher addressed standing and the merits of the case. He clarified specific emails in the joint appendix.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 121, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 121, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-27
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the limits of government power over private speech. Missouri seeks to stop federal pressure on platforms. The government defends its right to speak freely.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 121, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 121, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-27
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 18, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-45
What each side wants
Missouri wants the Court to strike down the lower court ruling. It seeks to stop federal officials from coercing platforms.
The government wants the Court to uphold its actions. It seeks to confirm its right to persuade private speakers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 121, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 121, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-27
What each side says
Missouri argues federal officials used coercive threats. It claims this suppressed protected speech on private platforms.
The government argues it only informed and persuaded. It claims this distinction protects its First Amendment rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 121, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 121, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-27
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked about the constitutional basis for government speech. He questioned the application of state action doctrine.
Justice Sotomayor asked how the injunction harms the government. She sought specifics on the meaning of significant encouragement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-27
Why it matters
This dispute defines the boundary between government persuasion and coercion. It determines how federal officials interact with private platforms. The outcome shapes the scope of free speech protections.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 121, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 121, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-27
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-45 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-33 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 29-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 29-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-27
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
- Official Court disposition document (date not established)
- Official Court disposition document (date not established)
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 121, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 121, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 121, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 121, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-27 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-27
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.