President Donald Trump on Monday renewed his nickname against Sen. Elizabeth Warren, calling the congresswoman "Pocahontas" while speaking at an event honoring Native American war heroes at the White House.

Trump was standing at a podium set up under a portrait of President Andrew Jackson for the ceremony recognizing Native American "code talkers" for their service during World War II. Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830, which removed more than 46,000 Native Americans from their homelands east of the Mississippi River, forced them to travel thousands of miles on foot – the infamous Trail of Tears – and gave more than 25 million acres of their lands to white settlers.

"You were here long before any of us were here," Trump said to the veterans before referencing the Massachusetts Democrat. "Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas."

He continued, turning to the veterans standing alongside him and placing his hand on one of the men's shoulders: "But you know what, I like you. You are special people."

The remark was met with silence, according to the pool report.

The president did not name Warren in his comment, but the statement revives an insult the president used often during his 2016 campaign for the presidency, making apparent reference to Warren's claims of having Native American ancestors. Warren was criticized for such claims during her run for Congress.

Earlier this month, Trump also tweeted the nickname in reference to Warren.

Pocahontas just stated that the Democrats, lead by the legendary Crooked Hillary Clinton, rigged the Primaries! Lets go FBI & Justice Dept. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2017

She promptly responded to the president's quip Monday, calling the comment "deeply unfortunate" during an interview on MSNBC.

"This was supposed to be an event to honor heroes, people who put it all on the line for our country, and people, who because of their incredible work, saved the lives of countless Americans and our allies," Warren said. "It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur."

Monday's event was meant to honor the Navajo code talkers, who were recruited during World War II to use their native language to share coded messages and assist the U.S. Marine Corps.

Native American leaders, according to the Associated Press, have called Trump's past comments against Warren "offensive and distasteful." Some Democrats have rebuked the attacks as racist.

Still, in a press briefing with members of the news media later Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended the president's remark, saying "Pocahontas" is not a racial slur and using a slur was not the president's intent.

"I think what most people find offensive is Sen. Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career," Huckabee Sanders said.

