Hollywood icon Robert Redford is lamenting the state of politics in the U.S.

In a statement posted to the Sundance Institute’s website, Redford wrote that “for the first time,” he feels “out of place” in his country.

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“For the first time I can remember, I feel out of place in the country I was born into and the citizenship I’ve loved my whole life,” he wrote. “For weeks I’ve watched with sadness as our civil servants have failed us, turning toward bigotry, mean-spiritedness, and mockery as the now-normal tools of the trade.”

The actor and Sundance Film Festival founder urged Americans to “be better than our politicians.”



“How can we expect the next generation to step up and serve, to be interested in public life, and to aspire to get involved when all we show them is how to spar, attack, and destroy each other?” he wrote.

Redford, who has said he will retire from acting after his new film “The Old Man and the Gun,” has been critical of 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 and the GOP in the past.

Though the actor did not point to any specific current events or politicians, his statement, posted Friday, came amid the contentious fight over Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

Kavanaugh, who was confirmed by the Senate on Saturday, was hit with allegations of sexual assault dating back to high school.

Trump sparked backlash from Democrats after he mocked the testimony of Kavanaugh’s accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, at a rally.

Redford, in his statement, called for “hope and civility,” adding that Americans have “work to do.”

“Let’s focus on each other, and strengthening our communities, and reflecting on what’s happening,” he wrote. “Let’s live in justice and respect and let others fight it out now to the bitter ends.”