He recounted how a law enacting just this, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, was passed and took effect around eight months ago. Paxton said as AG his job was to enforce the law and ensure porn sites were requiring users to verify that they are at least 18 years old before entering. "It was simply designed to protect children," he said. Then, the porn sites sued the state in the name of free speech and Texas lost, however, a Fifth Circuit court stayed an injunction allowing Texas to enforce the law.
The porn sites have now taken the case to the Supreme Court alongside a freedom of speech organization. "And that was what we were doing today, was defending our law, hoping to keep that stay in place while the litigation goes on and continue to protect children under Texas law."
Posobiec pointed out that age restrictions for purchasing certain items exist across the country to protect children. Even movie theaters prohibit anyone under the age of 17 from seeing an R-rated film.
Paxton agreed, adding, "I don't think it's controversial in America that we are going to protect children. So that's all we're trying to do here. We're not trying to shut these sites down. We realize there is a First Amendment right for adults to view whatever they want, and that's that's certainly up to them. But with kids, we treat them as a separate category."
Watch the full episode below.
