The explosive new revelation in The Twitter Files unveils a collusion between the FBI and Ukrainian intelligence to censor Twitter users, including American journalists. This sensational development implicates the U.S. government’s participation in another anti-free speech plot, coordinating with a foreign state to silence dissenting voices.
The Twitter Files report that in March 2022, FBI Special Agent Aleksandr Kobzanets provided Twitter a list of 163 accounts on behalf of Ukraine’s main intelligence agency, SBU. These accounts were accused of spreading disinformation and fake news related to the Ukrainian crisis. The FBI’s involvement came to light through screenshots shared by Grayzone News host Aaron Maté, revealing that FBI Special Agent Elvis Chan was copied on the email. The SBU urged Twitter to block these accounts and help them fight “Russian aggression on the information front.”
The list of targeted accounts included journalists such as Aaron Maté, who describes the FBI’s attempt as “among the most overt requests for censorship” in The Twitter Files. According to the evidence, the FBI dismissed its censorship request as “assistance to Ukraine.” Nevertheless, the Bureau was hesitant to answer Maté’s questions about the matter, merely stating that they do not confirm or deny specific interactions or correspondence.
Twitter responded that they would review the accounts in question, but expressed concerns about the inclusion of Canadian and American journalists. They were open to cooperating if provided with convincing reasons. This raises the alarming question of whether a U.S. government agency is colluding with a foreign power to censor and collect the data of its own citizens, undermining the very foundation of free speech.
In response to this shocking episode, conservatives must demand that government agencies uphold the U.S. Constitution and ensure that Big Tech mirrors the First Amendment while providing transparency and equality for all. It is essential to hold these entities accountable to protect the very foundation of our democracy: the right to free speech.
