WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Facebook announced that Donald Trump will only be suspended for two years, meaning his account privileges will be reinstated on Jan. 7, 2023. Last month, Muslim Advocates warned that the Facebook Oversight Board’s decision to kick the question of Trump’s suspension back to Facebook would lead to this outcome. The following is a statement from Madihha Ahussain, Muslim Advocates’ senior policy counsel:

“Facebook’s decision to reinstate Donald Trump’s accounts just in time for the 2024 presidential election puts the public and our democracy in danger. Trump used Facebook to incite a deadly riot in the U.S. Capitol and spread outrageous conspiracies about the election that are still being used to undermine voting rights across the nation. A two-year time-out for that is a joke. 

Since getting banned from Facebook, Trump has been unrepentant about his hate and lies. He is still spreading lies about the election and still commands support from the same groups involved in the insurrection. By allowing him back on the platform, Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg have chosen a path that guarantees more hate and disinformation from him on Facebook in the run-up to the next presidential election.

Facebook has been used to enable genocide, mob violence, a white nationalist riot and spread conspiracies that continue to undermine our democracy. Now we know that Facebook’s ‘highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols’ for all that is a mere two-year suspension. Facebook’s decision is cowardly, self-serving and will only lead to further misinformation, hate and violence.”

Muslim Advocates is a 501(c)(3) charity and does not endorse or oppose candidates for office.

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Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination.