South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Hillicon Valley: FBI, DHS warn that foreign hackers will likely spread disinformation around election results | Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day | Trump to meet with Republican state officials on tech liability shield MORE (D) responded on Monday to a Trump administration official who had accused him of perpetuating a “hate hoax” during a tiff with Vice President Pence.

"I'm not a master fisherman, but I know bait when I see it, and I'm not gonna take it," the 2020 presidential candidate said to applause during a CNN town hall Monday night.

Buttigieg was responding to comments made by U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who accused the mayor last week of using the back-and-forth to boost his presidential bid.

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The remarks came as Buttigieg repeatedly criticized Pence, the former governor of his home state, of promoting anti-LGBTQ policies.

Pence has denied having “a problem with” Buttigieg, saying, “I don’t believe in discrimination against anybody” and telling CNN, “I hope that Pete will offer more to the American people than attacks on my Christian faith or attacks on the president as he seeks the highest office in the land.”

Buttigieg has pointed to Pence’s support for an Indiana state law that would allow businesses to refuse service based on religious beliefs, which critics said opened the door to allowing discrimination based on sexuality.

"If me being gay was a choice, it was a choice that was made far, far above my pay grade," Buttigieg said at an LGBTQ Victory Fund event in Washington earlier this month. "And that's the thing I wish the Mike Pences of the world would understand. That if you've got a problem with who I am, your problem is not with me — your quarrel, sir, is with my creator."

Buttigieg has surged in recent polls of the Democratic field, rising from a virtual unknown to the top spots behind fellow candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) and possible 2020 contender, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Harris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle MORE.