GOP congressman uses capture of NY bombing suspect to level world's dumbest attack at Colin Kaepernick

Ahmad Khan Rahami, the man wanted in connection to bombings that left dozens injured in Manhattan this weekend—as well as to a string of explosive devices found in New Jersey—was captured by police on Monday morning, after a shootout in Linden, NJ.

News of Rahami’s arrest was met with relief from anxious New Yorkers eager to see a manhunt that began with a mass-alert pushed to smartphones across the city end quickly. Among those expressing their thanks was New York congressman Lee Zeldin (R-NY1) who inexplicably used the moment to take what can only be described as one of the world’s stupidest, most random potshots at San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick.

If you’re wondering what that “cracking” sound is, it’s a thousand rhetorical shoe-horns buckling under unfathomable pressure. Just what Kaepernick—whose protest of the national anthem to highlight racial injustice has become one of the most-watched sports stories of the year—has to do with the capture of a wanted criminal is anyone’s guess.

We looked for evidence of all those times Kaepernick said he was protesting because he didn’t want cops to track down people who may have set bombs off in crowded Manhattan streets. Here’s what we found:

Immediately, Zeldin’s @s began filling with replies, largely in the vein of “oh come on, dude.”

In a statement to Business Insider, Zeldin expanded upon his eight-word koan.

This is that moment in time that reminds us exactly of why we are so blessed to have men and women in our military, law enforcement, and other first responders who would risk their lives and lay it all on the line to protect our freedoms and liberties. We wouldn’t be able to live in the greatest nation in the world if not for these heroes who keep us safe, secure and free.

This is why our flag is more than just colored cloth. This is why I unapologetically love our country and our heroes who defend us. I’m insulted and disgusted when someone refuses to say the pledge or stand for the national anthem. That is their right of free speech and this is mine. I’m so grateful that we have our nation’s protectors to do what they do and do it so well