The Oversight Board, a Facebook-appointed panel of journalists, activists and lawyers who deliberate on the company’s content decisions, upheld the company’s move to restrict the then-president’s access to posting content on his Facebook page and Instagram account following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
The board said Facebook was “justified” in suspending Trump’s accounts but found it was not appropriate to impose an “indefinite suspension.” Therefore, the board recommended that Facebook apply a “defined penalty” and gave the company six months to complete its review of the matter and make its final decision on the status of Trump’s account.
Following the board’s decision, conservatives took to Twitter to express their thoughts on Facebook and the ruling.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Facebook is “more interested in acting like a Democrat super PAC than a platform for free speech and open debate.”
Other GOP leaders called for the social media giant to be broken up and held accountable.
“If you’re surprised by Facebook banning President Trump, you haven’t been paying attention,” Mark Meadow, Trump’s former chief of staff, tweeted. “It’s just the latest page in the book of big tech coming after conservatives. And they won’t stop.”
Soon after the decision was made, the hashtag #DeleteFacebook was also trending, and users discussed deleting their accounts.
Others used the hashtag to mention that they had deleted their accounts years ago.
Conservative pundit Dinesh D’Souza called for Facebook to delete itself, citing indictments that claim Facebook was the “number 1 platform for the planned violence that did occur on January 6.”
However, other users said they would delete their account if Facebook decided to reinstate Trump’s account. One user called Facebook a “hellsite” and those who continue to use the site if Trump is allowed back on are supporting the “deliberate destruction of democracy.”
Facebook thanked the board for its work on this case and said it will consider its decisions and " determine an action that is clear and proportionate."
“It is not permissible for Facebook to keep a user off the platform for an undefined period, with no criteria for when or whether the account will be restored.”
“The board also made a number of recommendations on how we should improve our policies,” Facebook VP of Global Affairs and Communication Nick Clegg said in a statement. “While these recommendations are not binding, we actively sought the board’s views on our policies around political figures and will carefully review its recommendations.”
In the meantime, Trump’s accounts remain suspended; his personal account was also permanently banned from Twitter earlier this year.
