Judge denies Psaki’s effort to quash subpoena in social media censorship case

A judge on Friday scoffed at Jen Psaki‘s request for him to quash a subpoena for her testimony in a case alleging the Biden administration conspired to silence conservative voices on social media. 

The ex-White House press secretary had filed a motion in federal court in Alexandria to escape a deposition, saying she had no relevant information to provide. 

U.S. Magistrate Ivan Davis said during a hearing Friday he was unimpressed with Psaki’s argument and ruled the issue be sent back to Louisiana to be handled by the judge overseeing the case May by the states of Louisiana and Missouri.

The Louisiana judge had already said Psaki and other government officials could be deposed in the case, but that order is being appealed. Psaki was allowed to file separate opposition in Virginia because she lives there and would be compelled to give her deposition there. 

A judge on Friday scoffed at Jen Psaki’s request for him to quash a subpoena for her testimony in a case alleging the Biden administration conspired to silence conservative voices on social medi

The suit alleges that President Biden his appointees are violating the First Amendment by urging social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and others to limit access to posts on subjects like Covid-19 vaccines and election fraud. 

Davis said that Psaki failed to show how testifying in the case in her home state would be an undue burden if she has little information to offer. 

“How much time does it take to prepare a witness for deposition when she doesn’t really have anything to say?” Davis asked.

Missouri and Louisiana say they want more information on statements Psaki made during her news conferences telling social media companies to do better at blocking misinformation on their sites. 

Davis said that Psaki failed to show how testifying in the case in her home state would be an undue burden if she has little information to offer

In one instance, she said: ‘We engage with (social media companies) regularly and they certainly understand what our asks are.’

The states have said they want to learn from Psaki who in the administration was engaging with social media companies and what they were asking. 

Psaki’s lawyers say the states have already obtained the information they need  from emails and other materials that have already been provided to them.