The U.S. Government Is Still Out Here Trying to Do MLK Tweets

It's MLK Day, so naturally every branch of the government is embarrassing itself.

Screenshots via Twitter/Remix by Samantha Grasso

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Anyone who has studied King beyond whitewashed elementary school lessons on "nonviolent protest" knows that his ideas about Black liberation and broader change in America were multidimensional, involving things such as his call for the abolition of poverty with the Poor People's Campaign, and his opposition to violent U.S. colonialism in the Vietnam War.

They may also know that the FBI heavily spied on, blackmailed, and otherwise antagonized King, and that the agency was hellbent on discrediting and destroying him, and subsequently the movements he helped foster. Part of that effort included allegations that King was unfaithful to his wife, and newer allegations that he assisted during a sexual assault. These allegations create a more complicated picture of King's personal life, but they also underscore the depth of the government's pursuit of him during his lifetime.

Unrelated to the above and apropos of nothing, I present to you a very interesting and not at all relevant collection of tweets made by official federal government agencies and officials in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

danny.page @DannyPage

they’ll just let anyone say anything on this website

CBP @CBP

Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—a visionary, an architect for change and an advocate for equality. His memory reminds us of the remarkable feats we can accomplish when we are optimistic for the future & we work together to achieve justice & peace. https://t.co/ncdxNRA7ab

🦋🦋🦋 @s_phia_

I'm old enough to remember when ICE visited my Black client in the hospital who was recovering from a gun shot wound and .... threatened to detain them.

ICE @ICEgov

Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of hope, justice and equality. https://t.co/C7HOywZWbd

Sarah Lerner @SarahLerner

Never forget that Mike Pence left an NFL game early because players knelt in protest during the national anthem.

Mike Pence @Mike_Pence

Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a giant of the Civil Rights Movement who called on our Nation to live up to the highest ideals of our founding. We pay tribute to the incredible life & accomplishments of Dr. King & his memory will inspire us for generations to come. https://t.co/2jXe2Eshnv

Marc Lamont Hill @marclamonthill

He also fought for Black people to vote, which is the opposite of GOP suppression efforts.

Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived @PressSec45

Today, we honor a hero, who embodied love and faith in his pursuit for equality: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - MLK Jr.

Mari Manoogian @MariManoogian

Your father is the lead perpetrator of a movement that seeks to systemically disenfranchise Black voters.

Ivanka Trump @IvankaTrump

Today, we honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits." -MLK, Jr. #MLKDay https://t.co/BiKpvRhCop

Charlie Bonner @CharlieKBonner

This you, Ted?

Senator Ted Cruz @SenTedCruz

Now more than ever, we are reminded of the power of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, calling on all of us to have ‘the courage to face the uncertainties of the future,’ ‘as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom.’

And a few tweets that haven't been owned into the sun, but deserve recognition nonetheless...

Department of Defense 🇺🇸 @DeptofDefense

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. as a national day of service. It’s a day on, not off. #MartinLutherKingJrDay

Secretary Pompeo @SecPompeo

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted his life to upholding the unalienable rights of all Americans. Today we honor his work in advancing social justice and equality in the United States by serving our communities and country.

Office of the DNI @ODNIgov

We honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His commitment to justice and equality for all embodied selfless service. #MLKDay

U.S. Air Force @usairforce

Equality for all. Today we reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and what he stood for. King dreamed of a nation of freedom and justice for all. Today we commemorate his dream. #MLKDay2021

U.S. Marines @USMC

A Day On, Not A Day Off Today, we salute the legacy of diversity and civil rights fueled by the courage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

NSA/CSS @NSAGov

We join the rest of the nation in remembering and honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. His work in civil and human rights gives us all the ability to work together in creating a stronger, secure nation. #MLKJr

U.S. Navy @USNavy

Today we honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but forever do we try to live up to his words and ideas. #MLKDAY

Peace Corps @PeaceCorps

Today is the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, the perfect time to honor thousands of Peace Corps Volunteers whose work around the world for the past 60 years confirms Dr. King’s belief that “everybody can be great … because anybody can serve.” #MLKDay

And while the FBI has been oddly silent on MLK Day, people are nonetheless responding to the agency's tweet from last year.

Rphirl @RHirl

@FBI Never forget

Just, pure *chef's kiss*.