The lieutenant governor of Texas sparked an outcry on Sunday by tweeting a Bible verse that some saw as contentious shortly after the nightclub shooting in Florida.
The tweet — which a spokesman for Patrick told local media was scheduled before the shooting — went out around 8 a.m. ET and cited Galatians 6:7.
Patrick's account also tweeted another Bible verse about 30 minutes later with the caption "Have a blessed Sunday."
The lieutenant governor usually tweets one apparently pre-scheduled Bible verse every Sunday, most with the same caption, "Have a blessed Sunday."
Have a blessed Sunday!
A spokesman for Patrick told the Dallas Morning News that the offending tweet was scheduled and had nothing to do with the attack.
"This was certainly not done w/ any fore knowledge of the events of the day"- @AllenBlakemore #pulseshooting #txlege
"This was certainly not done with any fore knowledge of the events of the day," Allen Blakemore told the newspaper, adding that Patrick is out of the country.
The Galatians tweet was deleted around noon, but in the four hours it was live it upset many people.
@DanPatrick You're finished in Texas politics. Have fun reaping that.
Some people said they hoped the tweet was scheduled, and wasn't Patrick's response to the tragedy.
@DanPatrick please tell me that whoever runs your social media had these bible tweets scheduled in advance.
While others said Patrick and his staff should be ashamed of themselves.
@DanPatrick Does someone in your office take pleasure in igniting righteous indignation in decent people?
The chairman of the Texas Democratic Party called on Patrick to apologize for the tweet, saying "we are better than this."
Texas Democrats mourn those lost & call on Dan Patrick to apologize #txlege #Orlando #pulse https://t.co/c4LdsN03tg
Even Mia Farrow chimed in.
@DanPatrick HAVE YOU NO SHAME
The tweet's timing particularly enraged people because Patrick has been an outspoken opponent of the White House's directive ordering public schools to allow transgender kids to use the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity.
@nathanarussell @DanPatrick Of course it is. His feed is 95% transgender bathroom hate and a rifle giveaway.
After Patrick characterized the directive as "blackmail" last month, the White House strongly condemned him, Politico reported.
"Well, I think this does underscore the risk of electing a right-wing radio host to elected statewide office," press secretary Josh Earnest said.
Patrick's office didn't immediately return a request for comment from BuzzFeed News.