A recent court ruling in Louisiana restricts certain federal officials and agencies from working with social media companies about protected speech on their sites.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a group of attorneys general urging the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to throw out the order.

Federal officials were accused of exceeding their power when pushing social media companies to moderate content that could affect elections, or make people hesitant to get a COVID-19 shot.

Gage Skidmore/CC BY 2.0

Kris Mayes

Then a U.S. district court judge in Louisiana found evidence of a censorship campaign, blocked agencies such as the FBI from talking to social media companies about removing free speech, and made certain exceptions.

Now Mayes and 20 peers want that decision reversed on appeal.

They argue in a new brief that it undermines the government's responsibility to keep people safe from harassment, financial scams and misinformation.

Associated Press contributed to this report.