Fake terrorism expert Sebastian Gorka is … a fake terrorism expert, who got his position in the Trump regime in the usual way: by spreading lies and unreasoning fear, and praising the fabulous Trump.

When an actual terrorism expert pointed out the danger of listening to Gorka’s fringe positions and uninformed opinions, Gorka proved his Team Trump special snowflake credentials by making a threatening phone call.

Sebastian Gorka, whose views on Islam have been widely labeled extremist, called noted terrorism expert Michael E. Smith II in South Carolina and expressed dismay that Smith had been criticizing him on Twitter, according to a recording of the call provided to Newsweek.

Dismay. That’s one way of putting it. You can listen to the call at Newsweek.

In it, Gorka starts the conversation by threatening Smith with a lawsuit over his Twitter comments, and not just to sue, but have Smith’s comments “reviewed by White House legal counsel.” Then Gorka complains repeatedly that Smith attacks his credentials even though they’ve never met. When Smith points out that anyone’s expertise, even his own, is subject to criticism, Gorka replies that it hasn’t happened to him. Which is not exactly true.

In fact, questions about Gorka’s views and credentials to speak authoritatively on Islam and terrorism were severely criticized in lengthy feature articles in The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal in recent days. He also received a wave of unfavorable publicity in January 2016 when he was arrested for trying to pass through a TSA checkpoint at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. carrying a loaded handgun. He was charged with a misdemeanor and sentenced to six months probation.

In fact, Smith is probably the most kind and tactful of Gorka’s many critics. Others simply think “he’s nuts.”