Twitter suspended the account of U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., after he intentionally misgendered Health and Human Services official, Dr. Rachel Levinethe first transgender person to hold an office that requires Senate confirmation, NBC News reported.
Banks was responding to the news that Levine had become the first woman to be become a four-star officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, saying the title of admiral and the honor were taken by a "man."
Twitter said the comment violated its hateful conduct policy, which prohibits the "targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals."
The platform temporarily locked Banks' account, saying he would regain access when he deleted the tweet. Banks criticized the suspension, saying he was punished for "posting a statement of FACT."