Social media platform X filed writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, requesting that the court hear a challenge to the process by which the Justice Department accessed former President Trump’s records on the platform.
The order challenges a federal court order from last year, forcing the platform to turn over documents about Trump’s account to special counsel Jack Smith without Trump’s knowledge or giving him a chance to appeal the order.
If the company is successful in its challenge, the change could radically alter the way search and seizure warrants are served to data holders.
X claims that some of Trump’s data could have been covered by executive privilege and that other users, from journalists to doctors, could have equally pressing reasons to keep their data private.
X said Smith’s request was an “unprecedented solution around executive privilege,” an example that could impact users in the future. He adds that the current lawsuit also “muzzles” the company’s First Amendment rights, preventing the company from discussing surveys with users.
Smith’s prosecution team obtained direct messages, draft messages and deleted posts from Trump, among other data. Smith accused Trump of voter fraud last year after a months-long investigation.
Federal judge Beryl Howell upheld Smith’s order last year and forced X to produce the data, later fining the company $350,000 for delaying delivery. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals later agreed with her decision.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
