MTV News writer under fire for joke about Sessions' Asian granddaughter

Attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions has no shortage of detractors, but one of his critics is under attack for social media commentary that many feel went too far.

On Tuesday, Ira Madison III tweeted a photo taken at Sessions' confirmation hearing that shows the nominee seated, holding his Asian-American granddaughter on his lap, reports The Hill.

Business Insider notes that Madison, who works for MTV News as a culture writer, said of the image, "Sessions, sir, kindly return this Asian baby to the Toys 'R' Us you stole her from."

That comment was deleted soon after, but it wasn't Madison's only Sessions-related tweet.

He also wrote, "There is no reason for that child to be in his lap in a hearing other than to send an 'I'm not racist message,'" and, "Why is she a prop? Sessions argued for policy that in the 1880s was used to discriminate against Asian Americans."

MTV has since clarified that Madison's tweets are in no way connected to the company.