After a decades-long legacy of activism and leadership, Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis (D-GA) passed away at 80 years old on Friday.
His death came just months after the death of his colleague, Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), in October of last year.
As tributes for Lewis came pouring in, two of his Republican colleagues posted tributes, but in a cringeworthy oversight, they accompanied the tributes with pictures of Congressman Cummings, not Congressman Lewis.
Senator Marco Rubio (D-FL) and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) deleted their posts, forgetting that the internet is forever.
@marcorubio/Twitter
Dan Sullivan/Facebook
After widespread backlash, Sullivan and Rubio deleted their posts and quickly began backtracking.
A spokesman for Senator Sullivan said:
"Senator Sullivan's staff made a mistake trying to honor an American legend."
Rubio posted a different tweet, this time with the correct lawmaker, acknowledging that he posted a "wrong photo."
Earlier today I tweeted an incorrect photo John Lewis was a genuine American hero I was honored to appear togeth… https://t.co/VNNKatsnn4— Marco Rubio (@Marco Rubio)1595100836.0
Their backtracking didn't save them from criticism.
Y'all worked w/ both Representatives Lewis and Cummings. This is beyond depressing. It's bad enough to mix up a pho… https://t.co/7LRsuoyhyC— Mangy Jay (@Mangy Jay)1595108258.0
@Phil_Lewis_ This is horrible and telling at the same time of what they “innately” think... 🤦🏾♀️— Regina is praying a lot lately! 🙏🏽 (@Regina is praying a lot lately! 🙏🏽)1595110186.0
The levels of disrespect are just off the charts. Marco Rubio needs to delete his whole Twitter not just the tweet… https://t.co/B5t5eRbmdc— BlackWomenViews Media (@BlackWomenViews Media)1595102233.0
hey @marcorubio the man on the left is john lewis. the man on the right is elijah cummings. your social media peopl… https://t.co/MuIQuVTnRw— Oliver Willis (@Oliver Willis)1595098902.0
People soon began mocking the Senators by making facetious mixups of their own.
Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Senators Dan Sullivan & Marco Rubio https://t.co/Pov6N9u9Sa— Shelly #TeamPelosi 🌊 (@Shelly #TeamPelosi 🌊)1595114573.0
@travisakers Exclusive: Senators Dan Sullivan and Marco Rubio offering condolences today https://t.co/h0cKEzKEo5— brynne ridley (@brynne ridley)1595109912.0
Throwback to when I met Sens. Marco Rubio and Dan Sullivan at my cousin’s wedding. What a pair! https://t.co/Igg0wzMzha— Jan E. Messerschmidt (@Jan E. Messerschmidt)1595108787.0
Why is everyone making fun of Marco Rubio just bc he’s taking precautions to protect himself from the dangerous ray… https://t.co/SDd6FgBvsd— Amanda Guinzburg (@Amanda Guinzburg)1595200630.0
Lawmakers are campaigning for a way to let Lewis's body rest in state in the Capitol Building amid virus precautions.