The Political Insider

On Tuesday, Big Tech giant YouTube suspended Sen. Rand Paul’s account for seven days for arguing that “cloth masks” were not effective against the coronavirus in a video posted to his channel.

The suspension of the libertarian Republican’s account began Monday, a week after he posted the video in question. In that post, Paul claimed “cloth masks don’t work” and most store-bought masks “don’t prevent infection.”

The CDC has said that cloth masks offer some protection.

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Paul: ‘I Think This Kind Of Censorship Is Very Dangerous’

Paul’s video has since been taken down.

“I think this kind of censorship is very dangerous, incredibly anti-free speech, and truly anti-progress of science, which involves skepticism and argumentation to arrive at the truth,” Paul said Tuesday in a press release.

Paul originally responded to his YouTube suspension in a video message titled “It Is Time For Unfiltered News.”

“Censorship by YouTube is very dangerous as it stifles debate and promotes groupthink where the ‘truth’ is defined by people with a political agenda,” said Paul. That video was also removed by YouTube for violating its Community Guidelines, the Daily Wire reported.

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Paul: ‘I’m Not Sure When YouTube Became An Arm Of The Government’

He added, “We realize this in our court systems that both sides present facts on either side of a question and complete an adversarial process to reach the truth in each case.”

The senator then accused the tech giant of behaving as if it was part of the U.S. government.

“I’m not sure when YouTube became an arm of the government, and I’m not really sure it’s good for journalism to also be an arm of the government without any repercussions or push back,” Paul said.

On Sunday, Paul doubled down. 

He called for open resistance to COVID-related lockdowns and mandates, saying, “They can’t arrest all of us. They can’t keep all of your kids home from school. They can’t keep every government building closed – although I’ve got a long list of ones they might keep closed or might ought to keep closed.”

He also directly challenged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden. 

“Nancy Pelosi — you will not arrest or stop me or anyone on my staff from doing our jobs,” Paul said. “We have either had COVID, had the vaccine, or been offered the vaccine.”

“We will make our own health choices. We will not show you a passport, we will not wear a mask, we will not be forced into random screenings and testings so you can continue your drunk-with-power rein over the Capitol.”

“President Biden, we will not accept your agencies’ mandates or your reported moves toward a lockdown,”