The Department of Homeland Security secretary said Tuesday that the president wasn’t alone when he used “tough” language during an Oval Office meeting earlier in January.

“What I was struck with is, I’m sure you were as well, was just the general profanity that was used in the room by almost everyone,” DHS Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, said at Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing regarding Thursday’s Oval Office meeting wherein Trump reportedly referred to multiple nations as “shithole” countries.

“I did not hear that word [shithole] used, no sir,” Nielsen testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

Based on a source who was in the meeting, the Washington Post quoted Trump saying, “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” Bipartisan lawmakers Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin were in the meeting when Trump made his remarks. (RELATED: Report: Trump Upset That ‘People From S***hole’ Countries’ Immigrate To America).

“I was struck more by the fact that the conversation, although passionate and appropriately so, had a gotten to a place where many people in the room were using inappropriate language in the Oval Office in front of the president,” Nielsen continued. “What I understood [President Trump] to say was: let’s move away from the countries and let’s look at the individual, and make sure those we bring here can contribute to our society,” Nielsen also said.

RELATED:

“We have a history that is beautiful and grand. And also ugly. From this nation to others, we know what happens when people are bystanders and say nothing,” Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said regarding the language reportedly used by Trump. “When Dick Durbin called me I had tears of rage when I heard about this experience in this meeting,” he continued. (RELATED: Cory Booker Had ‘Tears Of Rage’ When He Heard ‘S***hole’ Comment).

Follow Grace on Twitter.

Freedom of Speech Isn’t Free

The Daily Caller News Foundation is working hard to balance out the biased American media. For as little as $3, you can help us. Make a one-time donation to support the quality, independent journalism of TheDCNF. We’re not dependent on commercial or political support and we do not accept any government funding.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.