Former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) late Wednesday criticized remarks by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Pelosi, Schumer 'encouraged' by Trump call for bigger coronavirus relief package Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (D-N.Y.) aimed at two Supreme Court justices, with the former Democratic congressman saying "you can't incite violence."

"We're at a low point when presidents, Supreme Court justices and congresspeople are going at each other," Ford Jr., who represented Tennessee from 1997 to 2007, said during a panel discussion on Fox News's "Special Report."

"There's nothing wrong with Schumer saying, 'I disagree with what you guys are going to do. I hope you pay attention to the law the way I see it,' " he continued. "However, you can't incite violence. And one could make the case, whether he meant it or not, he's encouraging a kind of activity."

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"There's nothing wrong with a little rough politics. But this is not the kind of politics the American people signed up for. Democrat or Republican. Pro-choice or pro-life. It was wrong of Sen. Schumer, and I'm glad the chief justice shot back," Ford added.

The rebuke came after Schumer earlier Wednesday warned that Justices Neil Gorsuch Neil GorsuchConservatives see glaring omission on Trump's Supreme Court shortlist Cruz says he wouldn't accept Supreme Court nomination Trump's Supreme Court list reveals influence of Clarence Thomas MORE and Brett Kavanaugh Brett Michael KavanaughGideon leads Collins by 12 points in Maine Senate race: poll Conservatives see glaring omission on Trump's Supreme Court shortlist Cruz says he wouldn't accept Supreme Court nomination MORE, who were both nominated by 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, had "unleashed a whirlwind" and "will pay the price" if they voted against abortion rights.

“You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions," Schumer added.

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Wednesday regarding an abortion law in Louisiana that could ultimately result in the court rehearing the protections that came with the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized the procedure.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts later rebuked Schumer in a rare public statement.

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"Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous. All Members of the Court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter," he said.

Schumer's spokesman, Justin Goodman, responded by accusing Roberts of following the "right wing’s deliberate misinterpretation of what Sen. Schumer said."

“Sen. Schumer’s comments were a reference to the political price Senate Republicans will pay for putting these justices on the court, and a warning that the justices will unleash a major grassroots movement on the issue of reproductive rights against the decision," Goodman said.

Sen. Josh Hawley Joshua (Josh) David HawleyWhat Facebook's planned change to its terms of service means for the Section 230 debate Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal TikTok, Oracle seek Trump's approval as clock ticks down MORE (R-Mo.) also tweeted Wednesday night he would introduce a motion on Thursday to censure Schumer.

"I would call on Schumer to apologize, but we all know he has no shame," Hawley said. "So tomorrow I will introduce a motion to censure Schumer for his pathetic attempt at intimidation" of Supreme Court justices.

I would call on Schumer to apologize, but we all know he has no shame. So tomorrow I will introduce a motion to censure Schumer for his pathetic attempt at intimidation of #SupremeCourt — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) March 5, 2020