An MSNBC journalist has faced criticism for comments perceived as defending a gunman who shot and critically injured two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C.

Ken Dilanian, a correspondent covering justice and intelligence, suggested on Wednesday that the shooter, currently unidentified and in custody, might have mistaken the West Virginia guardsmen for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

During a live segment on Katy Tur Reports at 3 p.m. ET, Dilanian stated, “Given the current controversies in the United States involving ICE, who also wear uniforms and masks, there could be confusion.” He added, “In an American city, seeing uniformed individuals might provoke objections from some Americans. That seems to be the context for this incident.”

The comments quickly gained attention, with Curtis Houck from Media Research Center’s NewsBusters sharing the video clip on X.

The clip was further circulated by the conservative X account Breaking911, which criticized Dilanian by stating, “MSNBC is already defending the gunman who attacked U.S. troops on American soil.”

It was also shared by the conservative X account Breaking911, which wrote of Dilanian: ‘MSNBC already defending the gunman who killed US troops on American soil.’

‘Hopefully Ken Dilanian just ended his career,’ one X user wrote in response. ‘Blaming of the very soldiers who lost their lives.’

‘It’s okay to shoot people in a uniform if they might be ICE?’ another added.

MS NOW Justice and Intelligence Correspondent Ken Dilanian speculated that the gunman who shot two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC, Wednesday may have mistaken the them for members of ICE

Trump has deployed 2,300 National Guard troops into DC since August as part of his promise to crack down on rampant crime in the nation’s capital

‘Regardless of your feelings about men/women in uniforms, there’s NEVER an excuse to shoot them!’ a third said.

‘These people will stop at nothing. Absolutely sick in the head,’ a fourth added.

Dilanian joined MSNBC, which was rebranded MS NOW last week, in May after working at NBC News for nearly a decade. 

His comments come just months after the network fired one of its analysts, Matthew Dowd, for calling Charlie Kirk ‘divisive’ minutes after the conservative activist was fatally shot at an event in Utah on September 10.

Dowd also accused Kirk of peddling ‘hate speech,’ while suggesting that the right-wing activist brought the shooting on himself.

‘And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,’ he said, while also appearing on Katy Tur Reports, before Kirk’s death was confirmed.

He was fired later that day.

The Daily Mail has reached out to MS NOW for comment.

A National Guard soldier helps secure a perimeter in downtown DC near the White House

A Secret Service member stands guard at the crime scene

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two soldiers are being treated at a local hospital

The soldiers were targeted ambush-style attack just 800 yards from the White House, sparking a lockdown at President Trump’s residence.

The suspected gunman was in custody after a shoot-out at Farragut West metro station in the center of Washington, DC. The suspect was also wounded.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that two soldiers are being treated at a local hospital after West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey earlier sparked confusion by announcing the soldiers were dead before walking back his statement.

Trump has deployed 2,300 National Guard troops into DC since August as part of his promise to crack down on rampant crime in the nation’s capital.