
Rep. Lee Zeldin's (R-NY) attempt to link Colin Kaepernick's police brutality protests to the arrest on Monday of Ahmad Rahmani for allegedly putting a bomb in a dumpster backfired on him, The Intercept reported.
Zeldin took to Twitter to launch what he envisioned as a jab at the NFL quarterback, sarcastically writing, "You are welcome" after noting that Rahamani was taken into custody, as seen below.
Suspect in custody. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick.— Lee Zeldin (@Lee Zeldin)1474300303.0
"This is that moment in time that reminds us exactly of why we are so blessed to have men and women in our military, law enforcement, and other first responders [sic] who would risk their lives and lay it all on the line to protect our freedoms and liberties," he said in a statement. "I'm insulted and disgusted when someone refuses to say the pledge or stand for the national anthem. That is their right of free speech and this is mine. I'm so grateful that we have our nation’s protectors to do what they do and do it so well."
Zeldin may have conceived the tweet as some sort of "last word," but instead, it opened the floodgates for his mentions to be replete with mockery, as seen here:
Anyone trying to insult Black Lives Matter or Colin Kaepernick over the arrest of Ahmad Khan Rahami is nothing short of an imbecile.— Born Miserable (@Born Miserable)1474305901.0
@chrisorourke Today is a mild 73 degrees. You're welcome Kaepernick.— Bay Area for Bernie (@Bay Area for Bernie)1474312567.0
RT @leezeldin Suspect in custody. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/R0O8kWhdyE— Erick Fernandez (@Erick Fernandez)1474303471.0
@leezeldin https://t.co/QZIItP5UUy— Wendy Brandes (@Wendy Brandes)1474305658.0
RT @leezeldin Suspect in custody. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/5KCTr5ZUvT— Erick Fernandez (@Erick Fernandez)1474304400.0
I just had a cold brew that I didn’t totally hate. You are welcome Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/XP0yYexzh5 https://t.co/Xui9fvljuK— Nick Cho (@Nick Cho)1474305706.0
@LateRoundQB they gave me the wrong sandwich. Thanks, Obama. Made up for it with some free chips though. You’re welcome, Kaepernick.— Pat Thorman (@Pat Thorman)1474303115.0
Zeldin's remark did get the attention of one national personality, though:
I turned 5-0 today. You are welcome, Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/qAPPdroQFJ— Soledad O'Brien (@Soledad O'Brien)1474303810.0