An official account associated with the White House called a reporter "stupid" and a "sick, disgusting ghoul" for questioning President Donald Trump's National Guard takeover of Washington, D.C., following the incident in which two National Guard troops were shot.
"This is so tragic, so unnecessary, these poor guardsmen should never have been deployed," wrote Jane Mayer of The New Yorker on X, in response to the news. "I live in DC and watched as they had virtually nothing to do but pick up trash. It was for political show and at what a cost."
Rapid Response 47, a public relations account for the Trump administration, hit back in a fury.
"You sick, disgusting ghoul," said the account. "Two of these heroes were just SHOT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. The Guard has saved countless lives — backed up by evidence (which you’re clearly too stupid to notice). They are American Patriots."
The two troops who were shot were initially reported as deceased, but this was later walked back, with sources saying they are alive but in critical condition.
Details are still emerging about the arrested suspect, a 29-year-old Afghan national named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, and a potential motive has not yet been given.
However, some Republicans have already leapt on a political attack message, with Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) blaming the attack on a group of six military veteran Democrats who released a video reminding troops they have a duty to refuse unlawful orders.