Sen. Bernie Sanders described Baltimore as a "Third World country" in 2015 and compared the city's poorest neighborhoods to North Korea.

Sanders' characterizations of the Baltimore area are similar to statements President Trump made on Saturday while criticizing Rep. Elijah Cummings, whose district includes Baltimore. Democrats and media figures have again leveled accusations of racism at Trump for his harsh words against Cummings.

Sanders visited Baltimore in the aftermath of Freddie Gray’s death. The 25-year-old black man died after falling into a coma while in police custody. Gray’s death sparked accusations of institutional racism among law enforcement and caused protests against Baltimore police, especially the cops involved in Gray’s arrest.

The cops involved were suspended and charged with crimes related to Gray’s death. All walked free after charges were dropped or the defendants were acquitted.

Sanders visited the city and highlighted areas of high poverty and crime rates.

Residents of Baltimore’s poorest boroughs have lifespans shorter than people living under dictatorship in North Korea. That is a disgrace. — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 5, 2016

"Anyone who took the walk that we took around this neighborhood would not think you’re in a wealthy nation," Sanders said, according to the Baltimore Sun. "You would think that you were in a Third World country."

"Today what we're talking about is a community in which half of the people don't have jobs," he said at a 2015 press conference. "We're talking about a community in which there are hundreds of buildings that are uninhabitable."

Trump repeated similar charges on Saturday and lashed out at Cummings for failing "his very poor, very dangerous and very badly run district." Trump shared several videos on Twitter showing depressed and garbage-strewn areas in Cummings’ district.

Trump followed up his Saturday attacks on Sunday morning, defending himself against accusations of racism.

"Someone please explain to Nancy Pelosi, who was recently called racist by those in her own party, that there is nothing wrong with bringing out the very obvious fact that Congressman Elijah Cummings has done a very poor job for his district and the City of Baltimore," Trump said.

Critics, including Sanders, called Trump’s attacks racist and defended Cummings. Cummings is chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and is one of the president’s chief opponents on Capitol Hill.