You certainly don't have to stand there and take it but the response would need to be measured. I'm guessing his response was based on...
...destroying her point by being completely professional and not giving her the response she hoped for
...or being completely kneecapped by his command and the politicians who both caused and desired for him and others to get that treatment. This is the more likely scenario.
"or being completely kneecapped by his command and the politicians who both caused and desired for him and others to get that treatment. This is the more likely scenario."