Right Side Broadcasting Network, a pro-Trump streaming outlet, had its account flagged online by the FBI, according to a lawsuit launched by America First Legal.
America First sued the FBI and the Justice Department in 2023 over alleged election interference by the Biden-Harris administration and Big Tech.
In a release Thursday, the organization said the government perpetrated widespread social media monitoring ahead of the 2022 midterms.
The pro-Trump legal group noted that it appears the FBI — from its New York and San Francisco offices — flagged domestic social media accounts like RSBN for “information related to criminal violations of election law.”
Using its election command post, the bureau and DOJ attorneys alongside outside resources would flag posts and accounts for additional action.
“The left’s obsessive-compulsive tendencies toward hyperventilating about anything related to ‘misinformation,’ ‘disinformation’ or ‘malinformation’ are not just isolated to their leaders in the media or in leftist organizations,” said Gene Hamilton, executive director of America First Legal.
“Rather, this absurd fixation has infected our law enforcement agencies who apparently believe that they have nothing better to do than monitor and censor speech online — all while actual crime goes unaddressed and unabated in our major cities. This is yet more evidence that there is systemic rot within the Department of Justice, and it needs to be addressed,” he added.
A spokesperson from RSBN didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
A spokesperson from the Justice Department also didn’t immediately comment.
In June, the Supreme Court ducked ruling on another case dealing with the feds’ alleged censorship of posts by way of pressuring social media companies.
Red states had sued the feds, claiming the Biden administration colluded with Big Tech to censor posts.
Missouri, Louisiana and five social media users argued that technology companies suppressed social media posts about the COVID-19 pandemic at the urging of the Biden administration in violation of their First Amendment rights.
In a 6-3 decision, the court said the plaintiffs never proved a direct link between government concerns and social media platforms’ actions.
The ruling leaves the government free to lobby social media companies to elevate some views over others.
• Stephen Dinan contributed to this story.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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