BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Republican congressional candidate for New York's 23rd District Carl Paladino on a Breitbart radio program published online Saturday again created controversy talking about current U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

"..people like Garland who should be not only impeached, he probably should be executed. The guy is just lost. He's a lost soul," Paladino said.

He went on to criticize Garland for the FBI search earlier this month of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, but did walk back the rhetoric when pressed for an explanation by host Matthew Boyle.

"I'm just being facetious," he said. "The man should be removed from office. He shows his incompetence. He wants to get his face in front of the people. He's got some mettle to him but his choice of issues and his choice of methodology is very sad."

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University at Buffalo Assistant Communications Professor Yotam Ophir, who specializes in political speech, believes Paladino's comment is actually dangerous.

"I don't think it's a joke at all," Ophir said. "I think we should treat such a statement by a public figure as a threat. That's not a joke. First of all, it's not funny. Second, people will take him seriously."

He pointed out Paladino only said it was a joke when the host pushed the issue and said the implication was Garland is a traitor.

Late last week, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a joint intelligence bulletin warning of increased threats to federal officials and buildings. Ophir said he's not surprised.

"We've got to the point where people are willing to dismiss institutions, governmental institutions like the FBI in favor of basically rumors that are backed by nothing other than the confidence of the people spreading them," he said. 

Paladino's campaign Thursday declined Spectrum News 1's request to discuss his comments about Garland on camera.