The election of President Donald Trump has resulted in an unprecedented crackdown on free speech when it comes to government agencies. This week, Trump shutdown the Twitter accounts of the EPA, NASA, National Park Service and the Department of Health and Human Services. It is agreed by most reports that this is an attempt by the Trump administration to change and control the narrative of scientists and other employees of the agencies when it comes to subjects he disagrees with, like climate change.
In response, these agencies have set up alternative Twitter accounts to fight back against Trump’s attempt at silencing their agencies. A person claiming to be an anonymous National Park Service employee created the Twitter account @AltNatParkService. Trump was involved in a very public and embarrassing fight with the agency over photos showing that his inauguration was sparsely attended compared to that of former President Barak Obama. A message on the account reads “You can take our official twitter, but you’ll never take our free time!”
Employees at NASA have created the Twitter account @RogueNASA with the disclaimer describing it as ‘The unofficial ‘Resistance’ team of NASA. Not an official NASA account.” A post on the account tells readers to follow its feed “for science and climate news and facts. REAL NEWS, REAL FACTS.”
Unknown employees at the National Weather Services created the Twitter account @AlternativeNWS and posted “Hi there @POTUS, hope you’re enjoying your pointless deletion of science. But, keep in mind, it is pointless. We are not going anywhere.”
The Health and Human Services agency also has a Twitter account with @ALTHHS that posted “Don’t let the Gov’t tell you what you can and can’t say, or who you can or can’t say it to. Solidarity in Science, not oppressive regimes.”
Now on Twitter, more government agencies whose policies and practices are threatened by Trump are popping up as rogue and alternative accounts sure to anger President Trump.
