C-11-3 It's Not Just the Park Service: 'Rogue' Federal Twitter Accounts Multiply

Accounts that have the look of real federal agencies, called "rogue accounts", are trending on Twitter. The AtlUSNatParkService Twitter account has gained more than 1 million followers and inspired the creation of many more "unofficial resistance" accounts for specific national parks and other entities, including accounts like Rogue NASA and AltUSForestService. Many of these accounts have claimed that they were initially run by actual members of the real organizations, but many have since altered their descriptions or handed the accounts off to environmentalists and other activists. However, the account leaders are remaining anonymous, continuously tweeting facts about climate change as well as directly apposing Trump. Accounts such as these have been around for years, but the ones recently have been making headlines in the media due to the fact that many of them arose as a result of the Trump administration's apparent gag orders on some federal agencies. Many of these accounts are encouraging their followers to take action on issues by calling their representatives and providing scripts for their lawmakers. For now, most o the "rogue accounts" continue to only share facts and occasionally jokes and snarky comments towards Trump, but all of the participation they are advocating for is normal and seems to inspire participation in our democracy. 

http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/01/27/512007632/its-not-just-the-park-service-rogue-federal-twitter-accounts-multiply