U.S. Strategic Command, the unified military force responsible for launching nuclear strikes, apologized Monday for a tweet in which it said it was ready to “drop something much, much bigger” than the New Year’s Eve ball over New York City’s Times Square.
The original tweet, which was screen grabbed and shared in other tweets, included a video of a B-2 stealth bomber training mission in which it was shown releasing two bombs.
The New York Times reported that a spokesman for U.S. Strategic Command said the post was part of a Year in Review series in which command priorities were being spotlighted, such as strategic deterrence, decisive response and combat-ready force.
Reaction on Twitter included those who were shocked and outraged by the tone of the tweet and others who said it wasn’t a big deal.
What kind of maniacs are running this country? pic.twitter.com/0glVs2ee25
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) December 31, 2018
A later tweet Monday afternoon from @US_Stratcom offered an apology and called the first post “in poor taste.”
Our previous NYE tweet was in poor taste & does not reflect our values. We apologize. We are dedicated to the security of America & allies.
— US Strategic Command (@US_Stratcom) December 31, 2018
Thank you. We're all glad you deleted it. Please try to remember that you serve the United States of America and not the Trump family.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) December 31, 2018
The awesome power you manage makes your earlier lapse in judgment utterly terrifying for everyone in the world.
It’s amazing that you think you’re anything but a custodian of that firepower. You think it belongs to you. It doesn’t. It belongs to us.
— 2019 has to be better (@PhD_femme) December 31, 2018
We want an explanation. That was one of the most irresponsible things I've ever seen.
It's like this is a game to you guys. You are part of the most immature, irresponsible administration in our history.
— Helena (@thelastpinkcar) December 31, 2018
I hope your social media staff are in no way involved in any military engagement decision making processes.
— KSax (@ksax48) December 31, 2018
Everyone up the chain of command responsible should be disciplined. Unacceptable.
— ADFagan (@maybonne55) December 31, 2018