Judge grants RFK Jr. Motion to Consolidate, joining his suit with Missouri's case against The Biden Administration

Order on Motion to Consolidate Cases — Document #316

In a memorandum order issued at 4 pm July 24, 2023, Judge Doughty grants the RFK Jr. Motion to Consolidate.

Judge Doughty determined that since there was no opposition from the Plaintiff States, despite the individuals opposing, consolidating the two was more expedient and more economically efficient. He also determined they were similar enough between in nature for it to be them to be adjudicated simultaneously.

The Judge dismissed the opposing plaintiff’s argument stating:

“…this court does not decide cases based on politics, but based on the United States Constitution.”

In the Background section of this ruling, Judge Doughty points to the fact that both law suits filed by their respective plaintiffs, “are suing the same White House employees and federal agencies,” and that the claims are allegations of violations of the First Amendment Free Speech Clause by suppression of speech of social media platforms.

The Appeal of the Emergency Injunction barring communications between the Biden Admin and social media companies still needs to be ruled on. Additional discovery for plaintiffs on the RFK Jr. side will also be required now that he will be joining the suit.