House Judiciary GOP seeks communications between gov't and Big Tech on censorship

The House Judiciary Committee has requested documents from the Department of Justice that pertain to the government's involvement in various social media platforms and Big Tech companies allegedly censoring dissenting voices.

"The Committee on the Judiciary is conducting oversight of the Executive Branch's efforts to sidestep the First Amendment by coercing and coordinating with private companies, including social media platforms, to suppress free speech and censor content online," wrote committee chairman Jim Jordan to Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton in a Wednesday letter.

"As Congress continues to examine how to best protect Americans' fundamental freedoms, the documents discovered and produced during the Missouri v. Biden litigation are necessary to assist Congress in understanding the problem and evaluating potential legislative reforms," Jordan continued. "Accordingly, we ask that you please produce all of the documents that the Department has produced thus far in the Missouri v. Biden litigation."

Jordan is seeking the same materials that the DOJ provided to the court in a case led by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry over alleged federal collusion with Big Tech. The Ohio Republican contended that the materials unveiled as part of the Landry suit served to validate claims that the government consciously worked with social media companies to suppress contrary viewpoints.

"Congress has an important interest in protecting and advancing fundamental free speech principles, including by examining how the Executive Branch coordinates with or coerces private actors to suppress First Amendment-protected speech," he asserted.

Jordan gave the DOJ until Feb. 22 to provide him with the requested materials.

The Ohio Republican has taken center stage as House Republicans launch a bevy of investigations seeking to explore the Biden administration and the president's private business activities as well. 

Earlier in February, Jordan issued subpoenas to both Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray in connection with his investigations.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.