U.S. Federal Website Defaced with Anti-Trump Message

The little-known website for the Federal Depository Library Program greeted visitors with an unusual image over the weekend, that of a bloody Donald Trump being punched in the face. It was posted by hackers along with a pro-Iran warning message that the hack is only the beginning.

According to a BBC report, the brief message said the hack was in retaliation for the death of the Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. “Martyrdom was (Soleimani’s) reward for years of implacable efforts. With his departure and with God’s power, his work and path will not cease and severe revenge awaits those criminals who have tainted their filthy hands with his blood and the blood of the other martyrs.”

Last week, the United States killed Soleimani, a top Iranian military commander, in an airstrike, sparking protests in many countries in the Middle-East and escalating tensions in a volatile region.

A spokesperson for Homeland Security said that they were aware of the hack and that the website was taken offline quickly after it was discovered. U.S. agencies continue to monitor the situation, but they also said that they don’t think it was the act of a group sponsored by Iran.

Iran-backed hackers have a notable presence online, and they’ve been implicated in many incidents over the years. One of the more famous groups is APT33, which has hit high-value targets in the United States, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.