Illinois Senator Robert Peters Deletes Twitter History Amid Congressional Run
Robert Peters, a key figure behind the SAFE-T Act in Illinois, has recently made headlines as he prepares to run for a seat in Congress next year. Known for his advocacy for criminal justice reform, including the state’s cashless bail legislation and expanding rights for those on electronic monitoring, Peters is now eyeing the U.S. Representative position for Illinois’ 2nd District.
Shortly after announcing his candidacy, Peters made a bold move by deleting his entire Twitter history. Over the years, the senator has been known for his controversial statements on social media platforms, often disabling comments to prevent responses. While his Twitter history may be wiped clean, many of his polarizing tweets can still be found on Instagram.
For instance, Peters once attributed the spread of COVID-19 in April 2020 to “the travel of wealthy white people,” sparking criticism for his divisive remarks. In the wake of a violent teen trend in the Loop in April 2023, Peters suggested that the behavior of young people was a form of political protest against poverty and segregation.
During the civil unrest in Chicago in May 2020, Peters shared a text from his sister expressing fear for his safety, adding fuel to the fire with calls to defund the police and prioritize social workers over law enforcement for public safety.
Despite his controversial statements, Peters has also faced backlash for his views on incidents like drive-by paintball shootings and the murder of a police officer in 2023, where he shifted blame to gun manufacturers rather than the perpetrators.
Notably, Peters’ deleted tweets also included his support for Mayor Brandon Johnson, whose low approval rating raised eyebrows among constituents.
When questioned about the deletion of his Twitter history, Peters did not provide a response, leaving speculation about his motives for the social media cleanse.
