State Department Halts Diplomatic Social Media Posts Following Capitol Riots
Unprecedented Social Media Blackout Amid Political Turmoil
The U.S. State Department reportedly instructed diplomats worldwide to cease all social media activity following the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to CNN reports. Three diplomatic sources confirmed the directive, which included:
- Immediate suspension of all scheduled social media content
- Removal of pre-planned posts from platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Hootsuite
- Temporary blackout of main State Department accounts until further notice
Rare Protocol Activated
This type of social media shutdown is typically reserved for:
- Major terrorist attacks
- Significant natural disasters
- Extraordinary national security events
The State Department’s official Twitter account remained largely silent, only retweeting Secretary Michael Pompeo’s statement condemning the Capitol violence. Other platforms showed similar restraint:
- Instagram accounts for both the State Department and Pompeo went dark
- The Department’s YouTube channel published no new content
- Facebook simply reposted Pompeo’s Twitter thread
Social Media Platforms Respond to Crisis
Major platforms took unprecedented action during the crisis:
Twitter:
- Removed three of President Trump’s tweets
- Imposed 12-hour account lock
- Warned of permanent suspension for policy violations
Facebook/Instagram:
- Blocked content with #StormTheCapitol hashtag
- Barred Trump from posting for 24 hours
Context of the Capitol Breach
The social media blackout occurred as:
- Pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol during electoral vote counting
- Lawmakers were forced to evacuate (later reconvening)
- Four individuals died during the violence
The State Department has not yet provided official comment on the social media directive when contacted by TechCrunch.
“The storming of the U.S. Capitol today is unacceptable.” - Secretary of State Michael Pompeo
This developing story marked a pivotal moment in U.S. political history, with social media playing a central role in both the dissemination of information and the government’s response strategy.
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