U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala) had no immediate comment today after a retired CIA director appeared to suggest the senator be removed from “the human race” because of his freeze on military promotions.

Former CIA Director Michael Hayden was asked Monday on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) if Tuberville should be “removed” from his committees including the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee. “How about the human race?” Hayden answered.

Hayden said today he didn’t literally mean “removed” from the human race and is surprised anyone thought he did. “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. I stand by that view. I’m wishing you all a nice day even the intransigent Tommy Tuberville.”

Tuberville’s spokesman had not responded to a request from AL.com for a response to Hayden’s comments prior to publication of this story.

Hayden’s comment led to support for Tuberville on X that seemed to support a literal interpretation. Mollie Hemingway, editor in chief of the journal the Federalist, said Hayden “calls for the assassination of Tuberville because the Alabama senator is performing desperately needed oversight of the U.S. Military.”

Logan Dobson, vice president of the GOP strategy firm Targeted Victory had this tweet earlier today: “Them: The media and the deep state are not out to get Republicans, that’s a conspiracy theory. CNN National Security Analyst and Former Head Of The CIA Michael Hayden: Tommy Tuberville should be assassinated.”

The current Mideast battle between Israel and Hamas isn’t moving Tuberville’s position on promotions, either. NBC News reported Sunday that Tuberville spokesman Steve Stafford blamed the Pentagon again Sunday saying the promotions could be moving forward “TODAY” if the White House pressed for a vote on ending the abortion policy.

(Updated at 11:30 a.m. to include current comments)