Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez Thomas Edward PerezClinton’s top five vice presidential picks Government social programs: Triumph of hope over evidence Labor’s 'wasteful spending and mismanagement” at Workers’ Comp MORE on Sunday pushed back against Republicans likening certain Democratic policies to socialism, and compared some hallmarks of President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE's time in office to "repressive socialist regimes."

Appearing on "Fox News Sunday," Perez called the GOP's use of socialism as an attack line "one of the oldest tricks in the playbook." He noted Republicans had levied similar criticisms of Social Security, a guaranteed minimum wage and the Affordable Care Act, among other policies.

“Why do they do that?" Perez said. "Because they’re wrong on the issues.”

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Trump has wielded the socialist label in recent weeks as Democrats push progressive ideas such as the "Green New Deal," and high-profile party members float raising marginal tax rates to 70 percent on the wealthiest Americans.

Some prospective Democratic presidential candidates have backed at least one of those ideas, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice First presidential debate to cover coronavirus, Supreme Court Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (D-Calif.) and Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Bernie Sanders warns of 'nightmare scenario' if Trump refuses election results Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (I-Vt.).

Perez on Sunday called it "ironic" for Trump to criticize others as socialist.

“The whole interesting thing about the continued use of the word socialism is that repressive socialist regimes, two of their most frequent qualities are, No. 1, they try to undermine the press. They go after the press," he said. "And No. 2, they have endemic corruption.”

Perez noted that Trump has regularly attacked the press, deploying labels such as "fake news" and "enemy of the people" to describe unfavorable coverage or outlets he dislikes.

The DNC leader also said a "culture of corruption" surrounding the Trump administration was a key factor in Democrats' 2018 midterm victories. Six former Trump associates have been implicated in special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.