Rep. David Cicilline David Nicola CicillineClark rolls out endorsements in assistant Speaker race Races heat up for House leadership posts The folly of Cicilline's 'Glass-Steagall for Tech' MORE (D-R.I.) on Sunday scoffed at the controversy surrounding Rep. Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibGeorge Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge The Democratic Party platform represents our big tent MORE's (D-Mich.) profane vow to impeach President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE, accusing Republicans critical of the freshman lawmaker's comments of hypocrisy.

"It’s kind of odd to hear people on the Republican side who have not condemned the president’s language in a million different contexts to suddenly be clutching their pearls over her use of that language," Cicilline said on "Fox News Sunday."

"This was at a private event, she can use whatever language she thinks is appropriate," he continued. "The fundamental issue is Democrats are fighting for the people of this country. We’re going to focus on issues that matter in their lives, and we’re going to do our oversight responsibilities in a serious way."

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Cicilline, a chairman of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, was responding to comments Tlaib made last Thursday night at an event for progressive group MoveOn.org.

Tlaib told the crowd "we’re gonna go in there and we’re going to impeach the motherf---er," prompting applause from attendees.

The remarks prompted outrage from conservatives, and Trump said Tlaib "dishonored herself" and "dishonored her family."

Democrats have been split in their response, with a number of lawmakers calling the comments "inappropriate" and urging patience on moving forward with impeachment proceedings.

Other Democrats have downplayed the controversy, noting that Trump repeatedly used vulgar language during the 2016 presidential campaign and has been reported to have done so during his presidency, such as when he reportedly described Haiti, El Savador and some African nations as "shithole countries."