Maryland lawmakers on Friday sharply criticized President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE for talking about getting rid of journalists on the anniversary of a shooting at the Capital Gazette's newsroom in Annapolis that killed five people.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen Christopher (Chris) Van HollenCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Mid-Atlantic states sue EPA over Chesapeake Bay pollution MORE (D), Sen. Ben Cardin Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinPelosi hopeful COVID-19 relief talks resume 'soon' Congress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out PPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock MORE (D) and Rep. David Trone David John TroneUS Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats Preventing the opioid epidemic from getting worse requires attacking it at the source Bicameral group of Democrats introduces bill to protect immigrant laborers MORE (D) each chastised Trump's remarks about reporters while speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinPutin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize Navalny released from hospital after suspected poisoning Ex-Trump national security adviser says US leaders 'making it easy for Putin' to meddle MORE at the Group of 20 summit in Japan.

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Trump reportedly said, “Get rid of them," as members of the press were ushered out of the room.

"Fake news is a great term, isn’t it? You don’t have this problem in Russia, but we do,” Trump said, according to Bloomberg's Jennifer Jacobs, who is traveling with the president.

"We also have. It’s the same," Putin responded. The two leaders then chuckled about their comments, Jacobs reported.

Van Hollen called Trump's remarks "despicable."

"Mr. President, Maryland is mourning the loss of five journalists who were murdered at the Capital Gazette shooting one year ago today," he tweeted. "Instead of taking action to combat the gun violence epidemic in America, you’re joking with Putin about getting rid of journalists? Despicable."

Mr. President, Maryland is mourning the loss of five journalists who were murdered at the Capital Gazette shooting one year ago today. Instead of taking action to combat the gun violence epidemic in America, you’re joking with Putin about getting rid of journalists? Despicable. https://t.co/5cCKSrkjEv — Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) June 28, 2019

Trone called the president's remark "a disgrace."

"This is a disgrace. A year ago we lost five people in the Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis," Trone tweeted.

This is a disgrace. A year ago we lost five people in the Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis.



Today should be about commemorating the lives we've lost and fighting for a future with no gun violence. We must do better. https://t.co/jWQJWPKoL7 — Rep. David Trone (@RepDavidTrone) June 28, 2019

Cardin said that while such remarks by the president would be "unacceptable" any time, they were particularly offensive on the shooting anniversary.

"On the one-year anniversary of the deadliest newsroom shooting in American history, this is totally unacceptable," he tweeted. "It would be on any day, but today it is especially reprehensible."