Political commentator for the New Yorker sparks outrage after suggesting it's 'time for a military coup' (8 Pics)

A longtime journalist for the New Yorker has been criticized after he tweeted suggesting a military coup.

Hendrik Hertzberg, an ex-speechwriter for Jimmy Carter, posted on Twitter, 'Time for a military coup?' Sunday afternoon, sparking major backlash from social media users.

'Just because I don't want their fascism, doesn't mean I want your fascism,' one Twitter user posted.

Another sarcastically wrote: 'As we all know things always get much less authoritarian when militaries overthrow governments. *presses earpiece* wait, hold on.'

New Yorker journalist Hendrik Hertzberg posted Sunday on Twitter, 'Time for a military coup?'

Twitter users replied criticizing his tweet about overthrowing President Donald Trump's government on Sunday

One woman shared a meme with the words: 'The best time to delete this post was right after posting it. The second best time is now.' 

But the political commentator did get some support online.

A Twitter user, defended the journalist, writing: 'I can't believe anyone is taking this seriously. Clearly tongue in cheek.'

Hertzberg appeared to confirm he was joking as he replied: 'Me neither.'

'As somebody or other once said, I was being ... sarcastic,' Hertzberg later added in a tweet.

DailyMail.com has reached out for a comment. 

His tweet appeared to be a jab at President Trump's own blunder this week where he suggested injecting disinfectant as a coronavirus treatment.

But after a Twitter user, defended the journalist, writing: 'I can't believe anyone is taking this seriously. Clearly tongue in cheek,' he responded 'neither can I'

He later explained that he was being 'sarcastic' after Twitter users responded negatively

Trump was the subject of a backlash from public health experts, the CDC and Twitter users who criticized him for dangerously suggesting unfounded cures.

The White House claimed the American leader was being 'very sarcastic' when he asked officials to consider injecting disinfectant as a coronavirus treatment.

'I was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you just to see what would happen,' the president said about his comments.

On Friday, Trump walked off during the daily briefing after being annoyed by questions about his actions. 

This weekend POTUS tweeted that he would stop holding the task force briefings because he didn't like the press coverage he was receiving in the aftermath of making the comments.

'What is the purpose of having White House News Conferences when the Lamestream Media asks nothing but hostile questions, & then refuses to report the truth or facts accurately. They get record ratings, & the American people get nothing but Fake News. Not worth the time & effort!' Trump wrote.

Dr. Deborah Birx. a public health expert on the White House's coronavirus task force, defended Trump Sunday in an interview with CNN's State of the Union.

'Well, I think it bothers me that this is still in the news cycle,' Birx said of the disinfectant comments.

'Sometimes I worry that we don't get the information to the American people that they need when we continue to bring up something that was from Thursday night,' she added to CNN.