The editor-in-chief of Allenbwest.com apologized Saturday, after the former Florida lawmaker's Facebook page shared a meme that said retired Gen. James Mattis will “exterminate” Muslims as secretary of Defense under Donald Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE.

“As editor in chief, I must take full responsibility for this, although I was not the one who posted it, and it was posted without my knowledge,” Michele Hickford wrote in a Facebook post. “I neither condone nor support the message included in the meme. This meme was not created by me or any of our writers. It was reposted from another source.”

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The meme, as reported by the New York Daily News, featured a picture of “Mad Dog Mattis,” that read “Fired by Obama to please the Muslims” at the top and “Hired by Trump to exterminate them,” at the bottom.

“The image has been removed. Its message was despicable, offensive to many, and a terrible error in judgement by the person who posted it,” the apology continued. “Furthermore, it does not reflect Col. West's beliefs, principles and values. I am deeply sorry for the distress this has caused so many people,” Hickford wrote.

Trump announced last week that Mattis, who retired in 2013, was his choice to head the Pentagon.