A Republican state lawmaker in Mississippi is apologizing after saying leaders in Louisiana who took down Confederate monuments should be "lynched."

"I, first and foremost, wish to extend this apology for any embarrassment I have caused to both my colleagues and fellow Mississippians," state Rep. Karl Oliver said in a statement, according to The Associated Press.

"In an effort to express my passion for preserving all historical monuments, I acknowledge the word 'lynched' was wrong. I am very sorry."

Oliver said the term is never "appropriate."

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"I deeply regret that I chose this word, and I do not condone the actions I referenced, nor do I believe them in my heart," he said. "I freely admit my choice of words was horribly wrong, and I humbly ask your forgiveness."

Oliver last weekend spoke out in a Facebook post after New Orleans removed the last of four Confederate status the city decided earlier this year to bring down.