Twitter suspends New Jersey state senator’s account for discouraging vaccination against COVID-19

In June 2021, a New Jersey state lawmaker published a tweet that discouraged his constituents from getting vaccinated against the coronavirus, “given that we have crushed Covid.” In response, Twitter temporarily shut down his account, reinstating it only after he had removed the tweet. Republican lawmakers branded Twitter’s actions a violation of Free Speech. 

Key Player

Declan O’Scanlon (R) is a New Jersey state senator representing Monmouth County, which runs along the Atlantic coast, an hour south of New York City. O’Scanlon was elected in 2018 to a four-year term. 

Further Details

On June 25, 2021, O’Scanlon tweeted, “Given that we have crushed Covid with combination of natural immunity and voluntary uptake there is no reason anyone should be compelled to take the vaccine. Restrictions/mandates/vaccine passports all uncalled for.” 

The tweet also included a link to a Daily Mail article that questioned whether people under 18 should be forced to receive vaccinations. 

O’Scanlon reported that he was notified of his suspension at 10 a.m. on July 17. Twitter’s spokesperson Nikki Kria wrote in an email to NJ.com that O’Scanlon’s tweet violated anti-misinformation rules that ban “false or misleading information about COVID-19 which may lead to harm.”

According to Politico, O’Scanlon’s tweet is misleading for two reasons: “It’s hyperbolic to say that COVID has been ‘crushed,’ for instance. And the article it linked to is from a disreputable tabloid whose source is a scientist who claims to have invented mRNA vaccines, and it just takes his word for it.”

“I’m not Tweeting crazy crap,” O’Scanlon said in response. The senator felt he was simply expressing “reasonable opinion.” The New Jersey Globe clarified that O’Scanlon had “been an advocate for vaccinations before and during the pandemic,” but is simply against mandatory vaccinations and vaccine passports. NJ.com confirmed that O’Scanlon and his family are in fact vaccinated and have worked to expand vaccination rates among teachers in the area.

Outcome 

Twitter reinstates O’Scanlon’s account 

After Twitter notified O’Scanlon of his account’s suspension, he agreed to delete the tweet in exchange for Twitter’s bringing his account back online. His account was suspended for a total of 12 hours and was reinstated July 18. 

According to Newsweek, O’Scanlon decided not to appeal the suspension to avoid a protracted spat with the company, during which he would not be able to use his account.

After regaining access, O’Scanlon tweeted that he wanted an apology from the firm: “I’m so back! Please tell me which of your rules I violated?!? When you can’t, please admit you suspended me without cause, apologize and reinstate my tweet.”

Republican lawmakers slam Twitter for supposed violation of Free Speech

Republican lawmakers and organizations released several statements criticizing the suspension. The New Jersey GOP wrote that O’Scanlon’s suspension was emblematic of an “ongoing and worsening suppression of free speech,” according to NJ.com.

GOP State Chairman Bob Hugin wrote, “This appalling suppression of free speech is an assault on our democracy, and is as unacceptable as it is un-American. In expressing opposition to mandatory vaccine passports, Senator O’Scanlon gave voice to the many New Jerseyans who have legitimate concerns about privacy and civil liberties by being required to show proof of vaccination to participate in everyday activities.”