That clear violation of the constitution is what a federal appeals court ruled today when it temporarily halted an order that would bar Biden admin officials from communicating with major social media companies while it considers the government's request for a longer-term pause.

Friday's order came from a three-judge panel assigned to handle the government's emergency request: Judge Carl Stewart, appointed by Bill Clinton; Judge James Graves, appointed by Barack Obama; and Judge Andy Oldham, appointed by Donald Trump. It didn't note any dissents.

The Justice Department is arguing that it should not be forced to comply with the nationwide injunction while it pursues a full appeal in the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court said on Friday that it will put the ban on hold, also known as an administrative stay,  while the government presses its case before the New Orleans-based circuit judges.

The appeal will be placed on an expedited schedule while a panel of judges assigned to the case will decide on the government's request to keep the nationwide injunction on hold until the case is finished, according to Friday's order. The court didn't specify a schedule for those next steps.