Democrats are calling President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's praise of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "embarrassing" while criticizing him for offering concessions in exchange of vague promises from Pyongyang.

“In his haste to reach an agreement, President Trump elevated North Korea to the level of the United States while preserving the regime’s status quo," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiHoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE (D-Calif.) said in a scathing statement.

She said Trump had handed Kim concessions in return for “vague promises” and no “clear and comprehensive pathway to denuclearization and non-proliferation.”

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Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Senate Democrats introduce legislation to probe politicization of pandemic response Schumer interrupted during live briefing by heckler: 'Stop lying to the people' MORE (D-N.Y.) also ripped Trump, saying on the Senate floor that the U.S. has “legitimized a brutal dictator.”

“It is worrisome, very worrisome that this joint statement is so imprecise,” Schumer said. “What the U.S. has gained is vague and unverifiable at best. What North Korea has gained, however, is tangible and lasting ... We've legitimized a brutal dictator who's starved his own people," Schumer said.

Other Democrats were even harsher in their criticism.

Sen. Brian Schatz Brian Emanuel SchatzCDC causes new storm by pulling coronavirus guidance Overnight Health Care: CDC pulls revised guidance on coronavirus | Government watchdog finds supply shortages are harming US response | As virus pummels US, Europe sees its own spike Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE (D-Hawaii) said Trump's actions represented “an abdication of American leadership."

"Just embarrassing,” Schatz (D-Hawaii) wrote in a tweet.

This is an abdication of American leadership. Just embarrassing. https://t.co/G6uCVSvj2E — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) June 12, 2018

Rep. Steve Cohen Stephen (Steve) Ira CohenTennessee Rep. Steve Cohen wins Democratic primary Democrats exit briefing saying they fear elections under foreign threat Texas Democrat proposes legislation requiring masks in federal facilities MORE (D-Tenn.) and Sen. Chris Murphy Christopher (Chris) Scott MurphyDemocratic senator calls for 'more flexible' medical supply chain to counter pandemics The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon GOP chairman to release interim report on Biden probe 'in about a week' MORE (D-Conn.) were incredulous over Trump's choice of words.

Pointing to North Korea's long record of abusing its own citizens, Cohen questioned how Trump could talk of Kim loving his country.

Loves it so much that he has them impoverished and enslaved except for those he murders.Loves his country? https://t.co/i762TPmKxT — Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) June 12, 2018

Murphy said Trump was legitimizing North Korea's human rights abuses and faulted Trump for agreeing to end military exercises or "war games" with South Korea while talks with the North continue.

"U.S. gives up one of our biggest negotiating chips - military exercises. North Korea ends up BACKTRACKING on previous promises on denuclearization. What the hell?" Murphy tweeted.

Kim’s gulags, public executions, planned starvation, are legitimized on the world stage.



U.S. gives up one of our biggest negotiating chips - military exercises.



North Korea ends up BACKTRACKING on previous promises on denuclearization.



What the hell? — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 12, 2018

Trump after the summit called Kim a "very talented man" who "loves his country very much," adding that it was an "honor" to meet the North Korean leader.

“A worthy negotiator ... a very worthy, very smart negotiator. We had a terrific day and we learned a lot about each other and our countries,” Trump said.

The president's remarks were surely intended to set the table for fruitful negotiations aimed at denuclearizing North Korea, but they left him open to charges of hypocrisy given his own tough past rhetoric toward Kim.

U.S. college student Otto Warmbier died last year after being abused during a 17-month detention in North Korea.

But when he was asked about human rights abuses on Tuesday, Trump downplayed them, saying abuses happen in “a lot of places."

“I believe it's a rough situation over there,” Trump said during a press conference. “It's rough in a lot of places, by the way, not just there.”