News Clips

CENSORED: Hogan Deletes Trump Comments, Bans Marylanders from Facebook Page

Feb 06, 2017

For Immediate Release:
February 6, 2017

Contact:
[email protected]


 

CENSORED: Hogan Deletes Trump Comments,
Bans Marylanders from Facebook Page

Hogan takes page from Trump playbook to smear and silence concerned constituents

Annapolis, Md. – Governor Hogan is so desperate to avoid Donald Trump that he is now banning and censoring residents who are concerned that he won’t stand up and fight for Maryland. The Baltimore Sun reported this weekend that Hogan and his team were deleting Trump-related comments on his Facebook page – and even outright banning some Maryland residents from posting on any topics at all.

Hogan’s team smeared criticism of the Governor as “coordinated political spam attacks,” taking a page from the Trump playbook to shut down and censor anyone who disagrees with him. But Hogan is also relying on “alternate facts.” The Sun spoke with several concerned Marylanders who were unaffiliated with any kind of coordinated effort, and were silenced online. Hogan’s spokesperson later admitted that “sometimes people uninvolved in a coordinated commenting effort get banned from the governor’s Facebook page.” As Hogan censors his own constituents, more and more Marylanders are speaking out. Hundreds of Marylanders rallied this weekend in Annapolis to protest Hogan’s refusal to stand up to Trump and protect Maryland.

See below a recap of coverage from this weekend’s rally:
 
AP: Protesters urge Gov. Hogan to speak out against Trump
 
Baltimore Sun: Gov. Hogan avoids talking Trump, to the dismay of some in Maryland
 
Washington Post: Protesters in Annapolis urge Hogan to denounce Trump’s travel ban, nominees
 
WBAL: Hundreds rally for governor to speak out against Trump policies
 
WTOP: Trump protesters gather outside Md. governor’s house
 
The following statement was released by Maryland Democratic Party executive director Chuck Conner:
 
“Instead of listening to Marylanders, Governor Hogan is now censoring residents who are concerned that he won’t fight for Maryland.”
“It’s disturbing that Governor Hogan is taking a page from the Trump playbook of attacking and smearing anyone who disagrees with him.”
“Marylanders won’t let Governor Hogan get away with hiding – they deserve answers from the Governor on how he plans to protect their health care and stand up to Trump’s harmful agenda that is already hurting our state.”
 
# # #