AUGUSTA — A Maine state senator has apologized for a Facebook post that suggests that President Barack Obama’s family members are part of the Islamic State group.

Republican Sen. Michael Willette shared a photo of Obama that pretended to use the president’s words, saying of the Islamic State group, “I’ll deal with them at the family reunion.”

Willette apologized and called it an “error in judgment.” He said in a statement that he “fell into the trap” of posting something before thinking about it.

Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett said the offensive post reflects poorly on the Maine Republican Party. He says it perpetuates a “false racial, religious and ethnic slur.”


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