Michael Flynn was recently gifted an AR-15 by The Church of Glad Tidings in Yuba City, California.
While he was being presented with the rifle, Flynn commented maybe he should go "find somebody" in Washington DC.
Flynn, who was national security advisor under Donald Trump, made the comment while on stage. His wildly inappropriate remark was met with applause and raucous laughter.
The video of the presentation, which has since been removed from the church's website, was uploaded to Twitter and is garnering a lot of attention.
FLYNN: \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll find somebody in Washington D.C\u2026\u201d\n\nTrump\u2019s now-pardoned former National Security Advisor General Michael Flynn \n*jokes* about assassination at the \u201cChurch of Glad Tidings\u201d in Yuba, CA, as he gets a semi-automatic rifle. pic.twitter.com/G5JfqTbGD3— The Tennessee Holler (@The Tennessee Holler) 1627223427
Many are calling for Flynn to be recalled to active service and court martialed for his assassination joke, including the wife of whistleblower Alexander Vindman.
Flynn should be recalled to active duty and court martialed.https://twitter.com/thetnholler/status/1419304039775358980\u00a0\u2026— Rachel Vindman (@Rachel Vindman) 1627233134
pic.twitter.com/kBXcVYDm7e— r2no (@r2no) 1627232698
I agree, call back to active duty and court martial!— Nedy Bennett (@Nedy Bennett) 1627234971
Funny thing is the other guy who chimed in trying to soften what he said and change the topic.\n\nMan literally joked about killing politicians in DC and parishioners clapped in joy.\n\nThere's definitely a sickness in this country. Hasn't come to a head yet.— LegendarySaiyajin (@LegendarySaiyajin) 1627248827
Many were disgusted, but unsurprised by Flynn's conduct.
From fired National Security Advisor and criminal to QAnon supporter and election lie peddler, Mike Flynn is a disgrace.\n\nThis sick " joke" is indicative of who he is.— David Lapan (@David Lapan) 1627237298
I'm retired USAF. I know retired and active generals with 1 to 4 stars personally and none of them, none, are like this. \n\nFlynn dishonors his oath, his uniform and our flag.— D. Stamos/Helodriver (@D. Stamos/Helodriver) 1627234722
He ain't black.— Ball don't lie (@Ball don't lie) 1627254414
When a church hosts a politician and is trafficking guns, they should be paying taxes.— The Resistance (@The Resistance) 1627302846
Others have called for Flynn, a retired Army Lt. General, to be court martialed before.
Flynn is a QAnon believer and plead guilty to lying to the FBI about his communication with Russian contacts, but was pardoned by Donald Trump before he left office. Despite having confessed to lying to the FBI, Flynn is still collecting his military pension, and many believe he should not be doing so while advocating for violence against the US government.
He also called for a military coup in the United States during a Texas QAnon conference earlier this year, prompting retired General Barry McCaffrey to call him out publicly.
McCaffrey told MSNBC:
"This is putting the country at risk. I have never heard anything like this, probably in the last hundred years. This completely irresponsible, provocative language."
It remains to be seen whether Flynn will face any consequences for his actions, but the online backlash isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
