DOJ Violated Trump's First Amendment Rights, Fined Twitter $350,000 Over Private Messages Feud

The district court issued a search warrant in a criminal case, directing Twitter to produce information to the government related to the account @realDonaldTrump

Special Counsel Jack Smith demanded that Twitter (now "X") turn over former President Donald Trump's direct messages, a violation of his First Amendment rights, the Stored Communications Act, and potentially, executive privilege.

The Department of Justice ultimately fined Elon Musk's company $350,000 for not complying with the order fast enough, as then-Twitter resisted turning over the messages by the appointed deadline.