Representative Paul Gosar received the endorsement of former United States President Donald Trump on Thursday, a day after the Arizona congressman was censured by the House of Representatives.

The 62-year-old was at the center of controversy for posting a violent cartoon video that depicted a character with his face killing one with New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s.

Trump showered his support for the Republican legislator on Thursday in a statement and called him “a loyal supporter of our America First agenda” while adding that he was highly respected in Arizona”.

However, Trump’s statement on Thursday did not mention the House of Representatives’ crucial vote, which was conducted a day before, where Gosar was censured. The legislative chamber had taken the step after nearly a decade.

After the vote, which ended with a tally of 223-207, Gosar lost his two committee assignments –Natural Resources Committee and House Oversight and Reform Committee.

Only two members of the Republican party — Liz Cheney of  Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois– seemed to cross party lines to vote in favour of Gosar’s censure on Wednesday. Both lawmakers also serve on the January 6 committee of the House of Representatives, which has been tasked to probe the Capitol riots.

Gosar has said the video, which was produced by his taxpayer-funded office, had been mischaracterized and was not intended to be a threat. In addition to Ocasio-Cortez, the video also depicted Gosar’s character attacking President Joe Biden with swords, according to reports from Associated Press.

Ocasio-Cortez herself said in an emotional speech, “Our work here matters. Our example matters. There is meaning in our service. And as leaders, in this country, when we incite violence with depictions against our colleagues that trickles down to violence in this country. And that is where we must draw the line.”