Tuberville reports former CIA boss Hayden to Capitol Police for social media post

Sen. Tommy Tuberville reported former CIA Director Michael Hayden to Capitol Police Tuesday over a post on X suggesting that the senator be removed from the “human race.”

Mr. Hayden responded to a post Monday that questioned whether the Alabama Republican should be removed from the Senate Armed Services Committee for his months-long hold on military promotions, saying “how about the human race?”

Mr. Tuberville responded in a lengthy statement Tuesday saying that the comment was “calling for a politically motivated assassination,” and called it “disgusting and repugnant.”

“Given General Hayden’s long career in Washington, he must have known that, by making such a statement, he was committing a serious crime,” he wrote. “His own efforts today to reinterpret what he said are only a tacit admission of guilt.”

The senator wrote that his office reported the incident to the Capitol Police and he expects “that they will once again do an excellent job protecting the members of Congress and bringing criminals to justice.”

Mr. Hayden reiterated his comment Tuesday morning saying that he “stand[s] by that view.”

“I was surprised to wake up this morning and discover that many MAGAnuts had lost their minds over my suggestion that ‘Coach’ Tuberville not be considered a member of the human race,” Mr. Hayden said. “I stand by that view. I’m wishing you all a nice day even the intransigent Tommy Tuberville.”

Mr. Tuberville has been under fire for his blockage of military promotions over his dislike of the Pentagon’s abortion care policy. He’s been blocking hundreds of confirmation votes since February.

The only other way to confirm military nominations would be to do each one individually, which the Senate did for three military leaders last month, but it takes up valuable time on the floor.

The senator’s office announced Sunday that he will not be backing down with his block on military promotions, even though Israel is under attack.

“The Pentagon clearly thinks forcing taxpayers to facilitate abortion is more important than confirming their top nominees without a vote. They could end this situation TODAY by dropping their illegal and immoral policy and get everyone confirmed rapidly, but they refuse,” Steve Stafford, spokesman for Mr. Tuberville, said in a statement to NBC News. “If the Biden administration wants their nominees confirmed then Senate Democrats can do what Coach just did in September and file a cloture petition to force a vote.”