Judge Jeremy Kernodle, federal court in Texas, April 2026: approved a consent decree barring the State Department from using electronic tools to knowingly suppress or downgrade Americans' protected speech, in force until January 31, 2036. A settlement, not a trial verdict on past conduct.
Defendants will not use electronic tools or technologies to knowingly or intentionally suppress, censor, demonetize, or downgrade the constitutionally protected speech of Americans or domestic media outlets.
p. 5
Judge Jeremy Kernodle, federal court in Texas, April 2026: approved a consent decree barring the State Department from using electronic tools to knowingly suppress or downgrade Americans' protected speech, in force until January 31, 2036. A settlement, not a trial verdict on past conduct.