Jesse “JT” Smith, a Democrat running for Congress in Alabama, is getting slammed on Twitter for tweeting Monday the GOP is worse than ISIS. Smith clarified the tweet Tuesday, but the post was still up on his Twitter account.

“The greatest country on earth is being bullied from within,” wrote Smith, who is running against incumbent Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala. “Actions of Republicans in congress [sic] are worse than #ISIL.”

Smith was referring to the Islamic State, the militant group formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The group also was called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, the acronym that is used by the Obama administration in referring to the terror group.

The greatest country on earth is being bullied from within. Actions of Republicans in congress are worse than #ISIL. pic.twitter.com/cOfwONHG13 — JT Smith (@jt4congress2014) September 2, 2014

On his Facebook page, Smith clarified his remarks Tuesday, saying Twitter “does not allow for context.”

“I am not saying that the republican party [sic] is beheading people in the streets, obviously,” Smith wrote. “Here in America, because we are a civilized democracy, we do not use violence against each other as a means of control. The republicans have used the economy as a means to terrorize the people of this country. Raising interest on student loan rates, trying to privatize social security, passing tax cuts that only help the super wealthy, cutting the food stamp budget for the neediest of people. These are all examples of how the republican party is terrorizing the middle and lower classes of America. ... I will not stand by any longer and allow this to happen. I am going to stand up and fight for the people. The republicans and their interests have harmed the people of this great country long enough. Please, stand with me as we move towards election day.”

The post was strongly condemned on Twitter. Here’s some of the tweets from those who reacted to Smith’s posting:

Right, @jt4congress2014, because last I checked GOP congressional members were slaughtering & beheading their "enemies" Are you serious??? — Suzanne Olden (@suzieqolden) September 2, 2014

@jt4congress2014 who did the Republicans behead in congress? Wondering minds would like to know... — Rambling Mother (@RamblingMother) September 2, 2014

@jt4congress2014 You will never be elected. EVER. You need help. — Kayla Murphy (@mad_kla) September 2, 2014