Lt. Gov. Fetterman responds to threat of lawsuit over blocked Twitter users

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is accused of violating the First Amendment rights of two men who he blocked on Twitter.

The men hired a lawyer, threatening to sue Fetterman if he does not issue an apology for blocking them over comments they apparently made in response to a photo of his wife wearing a traditional Brazilian outfit, Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE reported. They want the apology and to be unblocked by the end of the week.

TribLIVE reported the attorney for the men sent Fetterman a letter warning of the potential suit, noting that federal courts have found that a public official’s Twitter account is a designated public platform.

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On Monday, Fetterman explained the situation on Twitter. He said be blocked the men from his personal Twitter account, not his official account.

“Again, say whatever you need to about me, but my family, on my personal account is off limits,” Fetterman tweeted.

Fetterman later tweeted a photo showing he has not blocked any users from his official account.

Fetterman mirrored his Twitter comments on Tuesday in the following statement to Channel 11 News:

“I only block on my personal account. I only will block an individual if they demean my wife or children, or post hateful rhetoric. For those people who wish to do that, my verified, official account is open and does not block.”

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