Washington (CNN) Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday asserted that congressional Republicans are enabling President Donald Trump's "naked racism," arguing they are not outspoken because they're afraid Trump may hurt them politically.

"Are you suggesting that Republicans in Congress, around the country, are enabling racism?" CNN's John Berman asked Buttigieg on "New Day" Wednesday.

"Absolutely. They are enabling all of the wrongdoing that this President has brought with him -- from inaction on Russia interference to naked racism," Buttigieg, who serves as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, replied.

"Look, 20 years ago, when David Duke, the Klan leader, ran for governor as a Republican -- tried to in Louisiana -- the Republican Party was horrified. They ran away from him as fast as you can go. Now, you see racism emanating from the White House and Republicans are either supporting it or they are silent. And the thing that's really important to understand right now is they know better," he said.

"He's betraying not just my values, but his own party's values. They know it. They are silent because they are afraid," Buttigieg added.