The LA County Sheriff’s Department has removed a social media post that referred to the US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as “tragic” after receiving backlash online.
“Our hearts go out to the victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran,” the department wrote on X Sunday in a now-deleted post.
“Even though this unfortunate event occurred abroad, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is carefully observing the situation along with our local, state, and federal partners.”
The post prompted immediate outrage and was reportedly edited to remove the section offering condolences to “the victims and families” and labeling the US military airstrikes as “tragic.”
Moments later, it was ultimately deleted from the platform, according to independent journalist Collin Rugg and Libs of TikTok.
However, before being yanked for good, the post garnered a massive outcry of responses, bashing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for the insensitive and inaccurate post.
“We sincerely hope your account was hacked. There were no victims in last night’s successful targeting of Iran’s nuclear sites,” replied the American advocacy group Stop Antisemitism.
“Please verify this post was not posted by an employee of the LA County Sheriff’s HQ.”
“It is shocking that the LA Sheriff Department employs someone who would post such messages when our brave men and women are risking their lives to protect our country,” wrote another outraged X user.
“That individual should be fired immediately and then investigated to find out what drove them to write these messages.”
“This is the CRAZIEST reaction to President Trump delivering MONUMENTAL devastation to Iran’s nuclear sites,” another person wrote.
While another agreed with the outrage, adding, “Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna should resign in disgrace. Shame on him!”
In response to the backlash over the post, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office released a statement “apologizing” for the “offensive and inappropriate” post late Sunday.
“We are issuing this statement to formally apologize for an offensive and inappropriate social media post recently posted on our Department’s social media platforms regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran,” the statement reads.
“This post was unacceptable, made in error, and does not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the Department. As a law enforcement agency, we do not comment on foreign policy or military matters. Our mission remains solely focused on protecting public safety and serving our diverse communities.”
The department acknowledged that it had “updated” the social media post and has “launched an internal review to determine how it was created and published.”
“Steps are being taken to strengthen our social media oversight protocols and ensure that any future communications align with our Department’s standards of professionalism, respect, and accountability,” the department added.
“We appreciate the continued trust of our community and will work diligently to reaffirm that trust every day.”
The Post has reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for comment.
