Ex-Twitter executives admitted Wednesday to lawmakers that they made a mistake in censoring the Hunter Biden laptop story several weeks before the 2020 election. However, they dismissed accusations that they were ordered by the federal government.

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee heard Vijaya Gadde (ex-chief legal officer), James Baker (ex-deputy general counsel) and Yoel Roth (ex-head of trust and safety) testify that they regret the suppression by Twitter of the New York Post story of Oct. 14, 2020 which exposed the laptop.

Roth testified that Twitter made a mistake at that time, with very limited information. “I have been clear that Twitter should not have blocked the Post’s reporting in my judgement at the time.” The company subsequently admitted its mistake within 24 hours.

Ms. Gadde admitted that Twitter did not understand the potential effects of its policy on free press when it suppressed the story.

Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan seized upon the witnesses and dismissed any suspicions that the government was involved. He pointed out that Twitter executives had been in weekly meetings with the FBI before the New York Post report was suppressed.