Politico landed itself in hot water Wednesday when it published a cartoon mocking victims of Hurricane Harvey, and now the cartoonist is defending his work.

Politico tweeted then deleted the following cartoon on Wednesday but the piece remains on their website. The decision to mock people affected by a natural disaster quickly drew near-universal condemnation. (RELATED: Politico Tweets, Deletes Cartoon Mocking Hurricane Harvey Victims)

The artist of the cartoon, Matt Wuerker, is defending the work on Twitter, arguing that the piece was very “pro Coast Guard” and only went after “secessionists.” Wuerker also asserted that he is “rooting for Texas” and was simply pointing out that “it’s ironic to say the government is the enemy.”

Guess I should have made that big Secede sign on the house bigger still. https://t.co/2EDk8Wis3r — Matt Wuerker (@wuerker) August 30, 2017

Respectfully— it’s making fun of the Secessionist movement. Not at all aimed at all Texans. https://t.co/aI4RxRNjFm — Matt Wuerker (@wuerker) August 30, 2017

Just trying to point out times like this we’re lucky to have rescue services. Don’t see how this takes away from private individuals heroism https://t.co/Tk4xCqyV0v — Matt Wuerker (@wuerker) August 30, 2017

Times like this it’s ironic to say that the government is the enemy. That’s what the cartoon is pointing out. I stand by it. — Matt Wuerker (@wuerker) August 30, 2017

It’s actually very pro Coast Guard and doesn’t take away from all heroic private individuals who are also doing so many rescues — Matt Wuerker (@wuerker) August 30, 2017

Everyone across the country is rooting for Texas. Great to see all the heroic rescue efforts by gov, military and private individuals — Matt Wuerker (@wuerker) August 30, 2017

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