White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Thursday said Republicans in Congress have a long history of attempting to appeal to extremists.

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"I think what is clear is that there has been a willingness on the part of Republicans in Congress to appeal to extremists in this country to try to build political support for their party," Earnest said.

Earnest was asked if the White House shares Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Democratic super PAC to hit Trump in battleground states over coronavirus deaths Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE's sentiments that Republican nominee Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE is making a "hate movement mainstream."

Earnest said he'll let the candidates "offer up their own opinions about the tactics that are employed by either side," and then shifted to congressional Republicans.

His comments come ahead of a speech that Clinton will make linking Trump to the "extremism" of the "alt-right" movement — a sect of hardcore conservatives often associated with white nationalism. In a video released Thursday, Clinton linked Trump to the Ku Klux Klan.

Earnest said Republicans in Congress have come forward in support of religious tests to try to keep Muslims out of the country.

He also said Republicans have supported voting-rights measures in some states to "disenfranchise minority voters."

"There's a long track record of the cynical political tactics of congressional Republicans to appeal to extremists that move their agenda forward and to win elections," Earnest said.

"I think it’s why you see a lot of Republicans, not just here in Washington, D.C., but across the country, quite concerned about the state of their party and the years-long willingness of leading Republicans to engage in these kinds of cynical tactics," Earnest continued.

"It appears to be taking a toll on their party."

— This report was updated at 1:29 p.m.