Appeals court halts order barring Biden administration communications with social media companies

Washington — A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily paused a lower court order that limited communications between top Biden administration officials and social media companies about content posted to their platforms.

The three-judge panel for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the Justice Department's request to put on hold the July 4 preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty while legal proceedings continue. It also agreed to expedite the administration's appeal. 

The temporary administrative stay will remain in place "until further orders of the court," according to the brief order.