The Babylon Bee, LLC, et al. v. Bonta, et al.
| THE BABYLON BEE, LLC, RUMBLE, INC., KELLY CHANG RICKERT, X CORP., CHRISTOPHER KOHLS and RUMBLE CANADA, INC. |
| ROB BONTA, in his official capacity as Attorney General of the State of California and SHIRLEY WEBER, in her official capacity as California Secretary of State |
| RUSSELL L. WEAVER, ADVANCING AMERICAN FREEDOM, INC., WASHINGTON LEGAL FOUNDATION, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SENIOR CITIZENS, MANHATTAN INSTITUTE, AMERICANS FOR FAIR TREATMENT, AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY FOUNDATION, CENTER FOR URBAN RENEWAL AND EDUCATION, MONTANA FIRST AMENDMENT SOCIETY, EAGLE FORUM, MONTANA PUBLIC POLICY CENTER, EAGLE FORUM OF ALABAMA, 1776 FOUNDATION, FREEDOM FOUNDATION, LIBERTY LEGAL FOUNDATION, FRONTIERS OF FREEDOM, CATO INSTITUTE, CHARLIE GEROW, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF EVANGELICAL CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS, NETCHOICE, LLC, FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION, TIM JONES, TECH FREEDOM, JOAN HOLT LINDSEY, JORDAN DORNEY, JENNY BETH MARTIN, CHUCK MUTH, CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF NEW YORK STATE, KEVIN RIFFE, RIO GRANDE FOUNDATION, ANN SCHOCKETT, 60 PLUS ASSOCIATION, COOLIDGE REAGAN FOUNDATION, TRADITION, FAMILY, PROPERTY, INC., UNIFY.US, UPPER MIDWEST LAW CENTER, ROBERT WILKIE, YOUNG CONSERVATIVES OF TEXAS, REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION and LIBERTY JUSTICE CENTER |
| 25-6138 |
| September 30, 2025 |
| U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit |
| Other Civil Rights |
Docket Report
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This docket was last retrieved on March 27, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.
| Document Text |
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| Filing 68 CLERK ACTION: Redacted Excerpts of Record submitted at DE 67 by Appellee X Corp. are filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/27/2026 02:00 PM] |
| Filing 67 EXCERPTS OF RECORD submitted for filing by Appellee X Corp.. [Entered: 03/27/2026 12:10 PM] |
| Filing 66 CLERK ACTION: Answering Brief and Excerpts of Record submitted at DE 30, DE 31, DE 34 by Appellee X Corp. are filed. Volume 2 is filed UNDER SEAL. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/24/2026 05:51 PM] |
Filing 65
ORDER FILED. The unopposed motion (Docket Entry No. 32) to supplement is granted. The unopposed motion (Docket Entry No. 33) to file under seal Volume 2 of the supplemental excerpts of record of appellee X Corp. is granted. The clerk will file publicly the motion to seal (Docket Entry No. 33.1), the answering brief (Docket Entry No. 30), and Volume 1 of the supplemental excerpts of record (Docket Entry No. 31). The clerk will maintain Volume 2 of the supplemental excerpts of record under seal at Docket Entry No. 34. Within 21 days of this order, X Corp. must submit for public filing a redacted version of Volume 2 of the supplemental excerpts of record that tracks the highlighted redactions in Docket Entry No. 33.2. The page numbering in the public version must remain the same as in the sealed version. The optional reply brief remains due May 11, 2026. [Entered: 03/24/2026 04:28 PM]
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| Filing 64 ADDED Amicus Curiae - Pending Liberty Justice Center, Counsel for Amicus Curiae - Pending Reilly Stephens [Entered: 03/24/2026 11:29 AM] |
| Filing 63 CLERK ACTION: Amicus Brief submitted at DE 59 by Dr. Jordan Dorney is filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/19/2026 09:42 AM] |
| Filing 62 CLERK ACTION: Amicus Brief submitted at DE 57 by Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, TechFreedom is filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/19/2026 09:04 AM] |
| Filing 61 ADDED Amicus Curiae - Pending Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Amicus Curiae - Pending First Amendment Coalition, Amicus Curiae Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Amicus Curiae Tech Freedom, Amicus Curiae Jordan Dorney, Counsel for Amicus Curiae - Pending Gabriel Rottman, Counsel for Amicus Curiae Ari Cohn, Counsel for Amicus Curiae Anthony Caleb Pirc [Entered: 03/19/2026 08:54 AM] |
| Filing 60 AMICUS BRIEF and MOTION for leave to file amicus brief filed by Liberty Justice Center.--[COURT UPDATE: Corrected PDF attached as of 3/24/2026, REPLACING original attachment] [Entered: 03/18/2026 11:57 PM] [Edited: 03/24/2026 11:30 AM] |
| Filing 59 AMICUS BRIEF by government or with consent submitted for filing by Dr. Jordan Dorney.--[COURT UPDATE: Corrected PDF attached as of 3/19/2026, REPLACING original attachment] [Entered: 03/18/2026 11:37 PM] [Edited: 03/19/2026 09:41 AM] |
| Filing 58 DEFECTIVE --- AMICUS BRIEF by government or with consent submitted for filing by Dr. Jordan Dorney.--[Duplicate entry, correct DE is 59] [Entered: 03/18/2026 11:34 PM] [Edited: 03/19/2026 08:14 AM] |
| Filing 57 AMICUS BRIEF by government or with consent submitted for filing by Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, TechFreedom. [Entered: 03/18/2026 11:04 PM] |
| Filing 56 AMICUS BRIEF and MOTION for leave to file amicus brief filed by Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and First Amendment Coalition.--[COURT UPDATE: Corrected PDF of brief attached as of 3/20/2026, REPLACING original attachment] [Entered: 03/18/2026 07:01 PM] [Edited: 03/20/2026 02:45 PM] |
| Filing 55 CLERK ACTION: Amicus Brief submitted at DE 53 by NetChoice is filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/18/2026 04:16 PM] |
| Filing 54 ADDED Amicus Curiae NetChoice, LLC, Counsel for Amicus Curiae Scott A. Keller [Entered: 03/18/2026 04:15 PM] |
| Filing 53 AMICUS BRIEF by government or with consent submitted for filing by NetChoice. [Entered: 03/18/2026 03:09 PM] |
| Filing 52 ADDED Amicus Curiae - Pending Advancing American Freedom, Inc., et al. Counsel for Amicus Curiae - Pending John Marc Wheat [Entered: 03/18/2026 02:12 PM] |
| Filing 51 CLERK ACTION: Amicus Brief submitted at DE 49 by Cato Institute is filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/18/2026 01:45 PM] |
| Filing 50 ADDED Amicus Curiae Cato Institute, Counsel for Amicus Curiae Thomas Arthur Berry [Entered: 03/18/2026 01:45 PM] |
| Filing 49 AMICUS BRIEF by government or with consent submitted for filing by Cato Institute. [Entered: 03/18/2026 12:26 PM] |
| Filing 48 CLERK ACTION: Amicus Brief submitted at DE 46 by Liberty Legal Foundation is filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/18/2026 12:16 PM] |
| Filing 47 ADDED Amicus Curiae Liberty Legal Foundation, Counsel for Amicus Curiae C. Thomas Ludden [Entered: 03/18/2026 12:15 PM] |
| Filing 46 AMICUS BRIEF by government or with consent submitted for filing by Liberty Legal Foundation. [Entered: 03/18/2026 11:36 AM] |
| Filing 45 CLERK ACTION: Amicus Brief submitted at DE 42 by Montana First Amendment Society, Montana Public Policy Center, 1776 Foundation is filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/18/2026 10:42 AM] |
| Filing 44 ADDED Amicus Curiae Montana First Amendment Society, Amicus Curiae Montana Public Policy Center, Amicus Curiae 1776 Foundation, Counsel for Amicus Curiae Emily Jones [Entered: 03/18/2026 10:41 AM] |
| Filing 43 AMICUS BRIEF and MOTION for leave to file amicus brief filed by Advancing American Freedom, et al. --[Court Update: Attached motion, updated docket text] [Entered: 03/18/2026 10:25 AM] [Edited: 03/18/2026 02:14 PM] |
| Filing 42 AMICUS BRIEF by government or with consent submitted for filing by Montana First Amendment Society, Montana Public Policy Center, 1776 Foundation. [Entered: 03/18/2026 09:45 AM] |
| Filing 41 CLERK ACTION: Amicus Brief submitted at DE 38 by Washington Legal Foundation, the Manhattan Institute, and Americans for Prosperity Foundation is filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/18/2026 09:00 AM] |
| Filing 40 CLERK ACTION: Amicus Brief submitted at DE 37 by Russell L. Weaver is filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/18/2026 08:59 AM] |
| Filing 39 ADDED Amicus Curiae Russell L. Weaver, Amicus Curiae Washington Legal Foundation, Amicus Curiae Manhattan Institute, Amicus Curiae Americans for Prosperity Foundation, Counsel for Amicus Curiae Robert E. Ranney, Counsel for Amicus Curiae Zac Morgan [Entered: 03/18/2026 08:58 AM] |
| Filing 38 AMICUS BRIEF by government or with consent submitted for filing by Washington Legal Foundation, the Manhattan Institute, and Americans for Prosperity Foundation. [Entered: 03/18/2026 07:02 AM] |
| Filing 37 AMICUS BRIEF by government or with consent submitted for filing by Russell L. Weaver. [Entered: 03/18/2026 05:26 AM] |
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Filing 36
ORDER FILED. Streamlined Request for Extension of Time to File Brief (DE 35) granted. Amended briefing schedule: Optional Reply Brief due 5/11/2026. All briefs shall be served and filed pursuant to FRAP 31 and 9th Cir. R. 31-2.1. [Entered: 03/16/2026 01:27 PM]
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| Filing 35 Streamlined Request for Extension of Time to File Brief filed by Appellant Rob Bonta, Appellant Shirley Weber. [Entered: 03/16/2026 12:32 PM] |
| Filing 34 EXCERPTS OF RECORD volume 2 submitted UNDER SEAL for filing by Appellee X Corp..--[Court entered filing, originally filed at DE 33] [Entered: 03/12/2026 09:20 AM] |
| Filing 33 MOTION to File Document Under Seal and Sealed Document Submitted for Filing filed by Appellee X Corp.. [UNSEALED 33.1 per DE 65] [Entered: 03/11/2026 06:04 PM] [Edited: 03/24/2026 04:32 PM] |
| Filing 32 MOTION to Supplement or Correct Record filed by Appellee X Corp.. [Entered: 03/11/2026 06:02 PM] |
| Filing 31 EXCERPTS OF RECORD submitted for filing by Appellee X Corp.. [UNSEALED per DE 65] [Entered: 03/11/2026 06:00 PM] [Edited: 03/24/2026 04:33 PM] |
| Filing 30 ANSWERING BRIEF submitted for filing by Appellee X Corp.. [UNSEALED per DE 65] [Entered: 03/11/2026 05:59 PM] [Edited: 03/24/2026 04:33 PM] |
| Filing 29 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT pursuant to FRAP 26.1 and CR 26.1-1 filed by Appellee X Corp.. [Entered: 03/11/2026 05:57 PM] |
| Filing 28 CLERK ACTION: Answering Brief and Excerpts of Record submitted at DE 26, DE 27 by Appellee Kelly Chang Rickert, Appellee Rumble Canada, Inc., Appellee Rumble, Inc., Appellee The Babylon Bee, LLC are filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 03/11/2026 01:38 PM] |
| Filing 27 EXCERPTS OF RECORD submitted for filing by Appellee The Babylon Bee, LLC, Appellee Rumble, Inc., Appellee Kelly Chang Rickert, Appellee Rumble Canada, Inc.. [Entered: 03/11/2026 01:31 PM] |
| Filing 26 ANSWERING BRIEF submitted for filing by Appellee The Babylon Bee, LLC, Appellee Rumble, Inc., Appellee Kelly Chang Rickert, Appellee Rumble Canada, Inc.. [Entered: 03/11/2026 01:29 PM] |
| Filing 25 ADDED Counsel for Appellee James A. Campbell [Entered: 03/11/2026 08:32 AM] |
| Filing 24 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by James A. Campbell for Appellee Kelly Chang Rickert, Appellee Rumble Canada, Inc., Appellee Rumble, Inc., Appellee The Babylon Bee, LLC. [Entered: 03/11/2026 08:24 AM] |
| Filing 23 CLERK ACTION: Opening Brief submitted at DE 19 and Excerpts of Record at DE 20 by Appellant Rob Bonta, Appellant Shirley Weber are filed. No paper copies are required. [Entered: 01/15/2026 08:06 AM] |
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Filing 22
ORDER FILED. Streamlined Request for Extension of Time to File Brief (DE 21) granted. Amended briefing schedule FOR ALL APPELLEES: Answering Brief Due (Appellee) 3/13/2026. Optional Reply Brief due 21 days after service of Answering Brief. All briefs shall be served and filed pursuant to FRAP 31 and 9th Cir. R. 31-2.1. [Entered: 01/14/2026 05:06 PM]
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| Filing 21 Streamlined Request for Extension of Time to File Brief filed by Appellee X Corp.. [Entered: 01/14/2026 01:02 PM] |
| Filing 20 EXCERPTS OF RECORD submitted for filing by Appellant Rob Bonta, Appellant Shirley Weber. [Entered: 01/12/2026 09:32 PM] |
| Filing 19 OPENING BRIEF submitted for filing by Appellant Rob Bonta, Appellant Shirley Weber. [COURT UPDATE: Fixed Addendum PDF] [Entered: 01/12/2026 09:22 PM] [Edited: 01/14/2026 01:24 PM] |
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Filing 18
ORDER FILED. Streamlined Request for Extension of Time to File Brief (DE 17) granted. Amended briefing schedule: Opening Brief Due (Appellant) 1/12/2026, Answering Brief Due (Appellee) 2/11/2026, Optional Reply Brief due 21 days after service of Answering Brief. All briefs shall be served and filed pursuant to FRAP 31 and 9th Cir. R. 31-2.1. [Entered: 12/01/2025 11:56 AM]
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| Filing 17 Streamlined Request for Extension of Time to File Brief filed by Appellant Rob Bonta, Appellant Shirley Weber. [Entered: 12/01/2025 09:29 AM] |
| Filing 16 RELEASED FROM MEDIATION (text only). This case is released from the Mediation Program. [Entered: 11/06/2025 02:58 PM] |
| Filing 15 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT pursuant to FRAP 26.1 and CR 26.1-1 filed by Appellee The Babylon Bee, LLC. [Entered: 10/14/2025 12:11 PM] |
| Filing 14 ADDED Counsel for Appellee Mathew Hoffmann [Entered: 10/14/2025 11:49 AM] |
| Filing 13 MEDIATION CONFERENCE SCHEDULED - DIAL-IN Assessment Conference, 10/30/2025, 11:00 a.m. PACIFIC Time. See order for instructions and details. [Entered: 10/14/2025 11:01 AM] |
| Filing 12 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Mathew Hoffmann for Appellee Kelly Chang Rickert, Appellee Rumble Canada, Inc., Appellee Rumble, Inc., Appellee The Babylon Bee, LLC. [Entered: 10/14/2025 10:57 AM] |
| Filing 11 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT pursuant to FRAP 26.1 and CR 26.1-1 filed by Appellee Rumble, Inc., Appellee Rumble Canada, Inc.. [Entered: 10/14/2025 10:47 AM] |
| Filing 10 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT pursuant to FRAP 26.1 and CR 26.1-1 filed by Appellee X Corp.. [Entered: 10/10/2025 11:57 AM] |
| Filing 9 ADDED Counsel for Appellant Kristi A. Hughes [Entered: 10/07/2025 10:12 AM] |
| Filing 8 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Kristi A. Hughes for Appellant Rob Bonta, Appellant Shirley Weber. [Entered: 10/07/2025 10:02 AM] |
| Filing 7 MEDIATION QUESTIONNAIRE filed by Appellant Rob Bonta, Appellant Shirley Weber. To submit pertinent confidential information directly to the Circuit Mediators, please email #[email protected] and include the case name and number in the subject line. Confidential submissions may include any information relevant to mediation of the case and settlement potential, including, but not limited to, settlement history, ongoing or potential settlement discussions, non-litigated party related issues, other pending actions, and timing considerations that may impact mediation efforts. [Entered: 10/07/2025 08:47 AM] |
| Filing 6 ADDED Counsel for Appellant Anya Binsacca [Entered: 10/07/2025 08:00 AM] |
| Filing 5 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Anya Binsacca for Appellant Rob Bonta, Appellant Shirley Weber. [Entered: 10/06/2025 08:24 PM] |
| Filing 4 ADDED Counsel for Appellee John J. Bursch [Entered: 10/03/2025 09:52 AM] |
| Filing 3 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by John J. Bursch for Appellee Kelly Chang Rickert, Appellee Rumble Canada, Inc., Appellee Rumble, Inc., Appellee The Babylon Bee, LLC. [Entered: 10/03/2025 08:59 AM] |
| Filing 2 SCHEDULE NOTICE. Mediation Questionnaire due (Appellant) 10/6/2025, Appeal Transcript Order Due (Appellant) 10/9/2025, Appeal Transcript Due (Appellant) 11/10/2025, Appeal Opening Brief Due (Appellant) 12/12/2025, Appeal Answering Brief Due (Appellee) 1/12/2026. For appeal no. 25-6138, 2:24-cv-02527-JAM-CKD. All briefs shall be served and filed pursuant to FRAP 31 and 9th Cir. R. 31-2.1. Failure of the petitioner(s)/appellant(s) to comply with this briefing schedule will result in automatic dismissal of the appeal. See 9th Cir. R. 42-1. [Entered: 09/30/2025 02:08 PM] |
| Filing 1 CASE OPENED. A copy of your notice of appeal / petition filed in 2:24-cv-02527-JAM-CKD has been received in the Clerk's office of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The U.S. Court of Appeals docket number 25-6138 has been assigned to this case. All communications with the court must indicate this Court of Appeals docket number. Please carefully review the docket to ensure the name(s) and contact information are correct. It is your responsibility to alert the court if your contact information changes. Resources Available For more information about case processing and to assist you in preparing your brief, please review the Case Opening Information (for #attorneys and #pro se litigants) and review the #Appellate Practice Guide. Attorneys should consider contacting the court's #Appellate Mentoring Program for help with the brief and argument. [Entered: 09/30/2025 01:49 PM] |
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