MSNBC's Eddie Glaude debated with former Republican North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory over who should bear the blame for inspiring the recent mass shootings in the United States.

Glaude argued Sunday on Meet the Press that terms such as "illegal immigrant" are divisive and fuel white nationalists to commit acts of violence.

"What happens when we use language like 'infestation,' ... children carrying perhaps disease across the border?" Glaude asked. "You set the stage for people who are even more on the extreme to act violently."

"We are in a cold civil war," Glaude added.

Glaude explained that minority communities often "bear the burden" after racially-inspired attacks and called on McCrory to condemn President Trump's rhetoric to keep illegal immigrants out of the U.S.

"Well I'm not going to condemn people that use the 'illegal immigrant' term," McCrory responded.

"We have laws on the books against illegal immigration, if we get rid of those laws —," McCrory continued, before Glaude cut him off.

"No human being is illegal," Glaude quipped back.

The debate came as 29 people were killed and more than 70 injured in two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, less than 24 hours apart. Numerous Democratic leaders have called for stricter gun control laws to be considered in the wake of the shootings, and several presidential candidates have said Trump holds at least some responsibility for the attacks.