AUGUSTA, Maine >> A Maine state senator who made a Facebook post suggesting President Barack Obama’s family is part of the Islamic State group of extremists has apologized.

Republican Sen. Michael Willette shared a photo of Obama that pretended to use the president’s words, saying of the Islamic State group, “I’ll deal with them at the family reunion.”

Willette calls the March 1 post an “error in judgment.” He said Monday he “fell into the trap” of posting something before thinking about it.

Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett says the offensive post reflects poorly on the Maine Republican Party. He says it perpetuates a “false racial, religious and ethnic slur.”

Since Obama first ran for president in 2008 detractors have falsely claimed he’s a Muslim.