Carl Nett, a Republican candidate for Kentucky secretary of state, tweeted Tuesday a reference to shooting Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY), who was boasting about his F rating from the National Rifle Association. “Move it over just a bit,” the tweet read. “I was trained center mass.”

“Center mass” refers to how police officers are trained to aim. Nett, a former Secret Service and CIA officer, would have been trained as such.


Nett has since deleted the tweet and tweeted a new response, insisting he would have died protecting any of the liberal officials he was previously tasked to cover.

Friends, I protected Barack Obama, John Kerry, John Edwards, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Clinton. I voted for none of them. I would have DIED for any of them. My oath is to the Constitution. ALL politicians should keep that oath, first and foremost. — Carl B. Nett (@realCarlNett) March 20, 2018

According to the Courier Journal, one of Nett’s old deleted tweets contradicted this sentiment. In December 2016, he tweeted that he “bailed” after protecting President Obama only a few times. “I’m not a bullet sponge for just anybody,” he reportedly said.

Several tweets Nett hasn’t deleted further speak to his support for guns and his lack of sympathy for victims of gun violence. In the wake of the Parkland shooting, Nett tweeted his explicit support for arming teachers.

"Allowing" teachers to exercise their constitutional rights. How radical. https://t.co/kyfEPR1vNV — Carl B. Nett (@realCarlNett) February 28, 2018

Pithy. What do you propose, specifically? My children are nearing school-age. I want to know. How do I safeguard them in a nation that has rejected traditional family, God and the concept of mortal sins? https://t.co/CGnuFzlS3k — Carl B. Nett (@realCarlNett) February 15, 2018

Nett carries a gun himself, including to church. He also advocates for legalizing concealed carry.

A major victory for the United States Constitution and common sense! Get it done @SenateMajLdr https://t.co/6ACgLS83zu — Carl B. Nett (@realCarlNett) December 7, 2017

My wife: "Why do you insist on carrying a gun to church?" Me: "Add this to the list of reasons." https://t.co/aCCHiIPe7k — Carl B. Nett (@realCarlNett) April 3, 2017

As for how Nett feels about lawmakers he disagrees with, after President Trump’s State of the Union address, Nett claimed that all Democrats “hate America.”

One response; six responses; ten responses – they all hate America https://t.co/ZUn3s5AJn3 — Carl B. Nett (@realCarlNett) January 31, 2018

A preponderance of Nett’s tweets recognize police officers who have died in the line of duty. Not only does he never recognize any other victims of gun violence, these tweets also indicate a foundation of racism that undergirds his support for gun rights. Most of the tweets include the hashtag #ThinBlueLine, but on one occasion, he used #BlueLivesMatter. A response to #BlackLivesMatter, #BlueLivesMatter ignores the history of systemic racism African-Americans have experienced and instead argues that violence against police officers should be considered a hate crime.


In one particular tweet last fall, Nett highlighted three different black police officers who had all recently been killed in the line of duty. “These Black Lives Mattered!” he wrote.

These Black Lives Mattered! Three officers slain in two days. #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/ffqB7f9rkJ — Carl B. Nett (@realCarlNett) October 13, 2017

A spokesman for Yarmuth’s office told the Courier Journal that Capitol Police “have directed officers to be diligent in reporting all threats to members’ safety. They are aware of this situation.” Likewise, FBI Louisville is “aware of the tweet and is working with our law enforcement partners to determine the best course of action.”

Democrats and Republicans alike have condemned Nett’s tweet. Kentucky GOP spokesman Tres Watson called the tweet “inappropriate,” stating, “We condemn any suggestion of violence against public servants, even if in jest.” One of Nett’s opponents in the Republican secretary of state primary, Michael Adams, likewise said that the tweet was “not only morally wrong, but embarrassing for the Republican Party, and Kentucky.”

UPDATE: Tuesday evening, Nett tweeted an apology to Yarmuth if he felt offended, explaining that his threat to shoot the congressman was the result of “foot-in-mouth” disease.

To the extent that anyone, including and most especially Congressman Yarmuth or members of his family, felt sincerely threatened or even offended by today’s social media post, I offer my sincere apology to them. — Carl B. Nett (@realCarlNett) March 20, 2018

I recognize that my attempt to be clever was far from clever, particularly in light of politically motivated acts of violence against elected officials – from the shooting of Republican congressman at a softball practice to the blindside attack on our own Senator, Rand Paul. — Carl B. Nett (@realCarlNett) March 20, 2018