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Trump criticized for blocking Twitter users, suppressing free speech
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US President Donald Trump hosts an event for military mothers on National Military Spouse Appreciation Day in the East Room of the White House on May 12 in Washington, DC. Twitter users have called out the United States President for suppressing free speech after he blocked accounts that have interacted with him online. (Getty Images/AFP/Chip Somodevilla)
T
witter users have called out United States President Donald Trump for suppressing free speech after blocking accounts who have interacted with him online.
Attorneys have sent Trump a letter from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, arguing that blocking users suppresses speech by limiting interaction, as reported by mashable.com.
"This Twitter account operates as a 'designated public forum' for First Amendment purposes, and accordingly the viewpoint-based blocking of our clients is unconstitutional," the letter read, representing several Twitter users.
In addition to Trump, the letter was also sent to Press Secretary Sean Spicer, the White House counsel and Dan Scavino, who heads social media for Trump. The letter criticizes the President and argues that the government "may not exclude people simply because it disagrees with them."
Read also: Outrage as Trump targets London mayor after attacks
Holly O'Reilly, a client in the case, was reportedly blocked after tweeting Trump a GIF of his meeting with Pope Francis.
This is pretty much how the whole world sees you.#AMJoy#SundayMorning pic.twitter.com/CycqYnKg8b
— Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) May 28, 2017
Another client, Joseph Papp claims to have been blocked after tweeting Trump a post related to the President's speech about the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, which included the hashtag #fakeleader.
a @POTUS so mentally weak & intolerant of dissent he blocks US citizens critical of his policies from even reading his latest pronouncements pic.twitter.com/MjLuMUPqBD
— Joe Papp (@joepabike) June 4, 2017
"Each of them was blocked soon after having disagreed with or ridiculed you," the letter reads.
While Trump faced strong criticism for his actions, no lawsuit has been filed. The letter, however, saw lawyers ask for the accounts to be unblocked, while legal actions are currently under consideration. (liz/kes)
