Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenCast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response Biden tells CNN town hall that he has benefited from white privilege MORE ripped Rep. Steve King Steven (Steve) Arnold KingGOP leader: 'There is no place for QAnon in the Republican Party' Loomer win creates bigger problem for House GOP Win by QAnon believer creates new headaches for House GOP MORE (R-Iowa) on Friday for his comments questioning how the terms “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” became offensive.

Biden took to Twitter on Friday night to blast the outspoken Republican, who attempted to defuse the controversy earlier in the day with a speech on the House floor.

“White supremacists and their shameful ideology should have no place in this country in 2019, let alone a voice of sympathy in the United States Congress,” Biden wrote.

White supremacists and their shameful ideology should have no place in this country in 2019, let alone a voice of sympathy in the United States Congress. https://t.co/SNZD8wt7V6 — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 11, 2019

ADVERTISEMENT

King made the initial remarks in an interview with The New York Times published Thursday.

“White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” King asked in the interview. “Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?”

King’s comments drew widespread backlash, with some lawmakers calling for the House to censure him, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Pelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership MORE (D-Calif.) saying there is “interest” to take action on him.

"One phrase in that long article has created an unnecessary controversy. That was my mistake," King said on the House floor on Friday. "I've never been anti-immigrant. I have been anti-illegal immigrant, and I remain that way.”

Biden is seen by many as a top possible Democratic presidential candidate in 2020. He has said he would make a decision soon regarding his candidacy.

He has been an outspoken critic of Trump and has lent his voice to several Democratic causes in the years since he left the White House with former President Obama.