In a series of pointed tweets of his own, Willimon charged that Trump’s Twitter presence poses a “national security threat,” adding that it “emboldens our enemies to take advantage of his flagrant shortcomings.”
Willimon noted that Twitter is “amazing” and that it “connects the world.” But he said, “That comes with its own responsibility: to do your part in protecting that world.”
One of the president’s tweets in particular appears to have prompted Willimon’s argument. Early Saturday morning, Trump alleged on Twitter ..
Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!
? without any proof ? that then-President Barack Obama had his “‘wires tapped’ in Trump Tower” before the election. Willimon said that comment is just the “latest example” of why Trump’s account should be deleted.
See Willimon’s tweets below:
- Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
1. Today's tantrum is just the latest example of why @realDonaldTrump & @POTUS must be removed from @Twitter. Here's my full argument... 5:55 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
2. Only one person on @Twitter is President of the United States. That comes with a supreme and unique responsibility unlike any other user. 5:56 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
3. What the President tweets has real and significant impact on the business of governance, world affairs and national security. 5:57 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
4. President Trump has consistently made misleading claims, attacked the judiciary and threatened sovereign states, the press & public. 5:57 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
5. His tweets recklessly bypass diplomatic channels without consultation from the State Department, IC or the Pentagon. 5:58 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
6. Even as a private citizen it is arguable that he has violated Twitter rules regarding violent threats, harassment and hateful conduct. 5:59 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
7. Certainly in the unique position of @POTUS the repercussions and intimations his tweets cross these lines. 6:00 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
8. Today's outburst is broadcasting to foreign leaders his continuing impulsiveness, recklessness, delusion & ignorance about gov't. 6:02 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
9. That makes @RealDonaldTrump's tweets a national security threat. It emboldens our enemies to take advantage of his flagrant shortcomings. 6:03 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
10. For those who would argue that the removal of his account is a violation of free speech, consider this... 6:04 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
11. The WH has retaliated against the press by selectively locking them out, called them "the enemy of the people" & ignored hard questions. 6:05 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
12. But with his behavior on this service, Trump makes the argument for himself being a liability to the people. 6:07 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
13. The President is free to say whatever he wants, and has many of ways of doing so, but no private company owes him an outlet. 6:07 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
14. While you cannot prevent the President from saying reckless things elsewhere, @Twitter is not obligated to facilitate that here. 6:08 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
15. In fact, with your worldwide reach & impact on the media, you have a duty to steer clear of accounts facilitating nat'l security threats 6:09 AM - 5 Mar 2017
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Beau Willimon @BeauWillimon
16. @Twitter is amazing. It connects the world. That comes with its own responsibility: to do your part in protecting that world. /Thread 6:11 AM - 5 Mar 2017