Two US police officers have been fired over a Facebook post that suggested Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should be shot.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, Charlie Rispoli, a police officer in the US state of Louisiana, said Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez "needs a round".
"This vile idiot needs a round...and I don't mean the kind she used to serve," he posted.
The Democrat worked as a bartender before moving into politics.
The post was liked by Officer Rispoli's colleague, and the pair have both been fired by the police department.
Ayanna Pressley (L), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (C-L), Rashida Tlaib (C-R), and Ilhan Omar (R) speak about President Trump's Twitter attacks against them. Source: AAP Image/EPA/JIM LO SCALZO
Both he and his colleague were found to have violated the police department's social media rules, despite having received training.
Police chief of the Gretna Police Department, where both officers were stationed, said it was "an embarrassment to our department".
Donald Trump launched an attack on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez an her fellow Democrats last week. Source: Getty, AAP
"These officers acted in a manner which was unprofessional, alluding to a violent act to be conducted a sitting US congresswoman," he said.
The post came days after President Donald Trump told Ms Ocasio-Cortez and three other ethnic minority congresswomen to “go back” to their countries of origin.
Three of the four women, known as 'the squad' - all outspoken critics of the president, were born in America.
The comments sparked fierce backlash, with many condemning them as racist.
Officer Rispoli's post was in response to a satirical news website that falsely claimed Ms Ocasio-Cortez believed US troops were overpaid.
