The ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday demanded the State Department reinstate an NPR reporter on Secretary Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Trump steps up Iran fight in final election stretch MORE’s trip to Europe and Central Asia.

The journalist was removed from the group of reporters traveling with the top official after a tense interview from a fellow NPR reporter.

Sen. Bob Menendez Robert (Bob) MenendezKasie Hunt to host lead-in show for MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' Senators ask for removal of tariffs on EU food, wine, spirits: report VOA visa decision could hobble Venezuela coverage MORE (D-N.J.) slammed the removal of NPR reporter Michele Keleman, suggesting the decision undermines America’s ideals of an open and free press.

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“As the United States’ chief diplomat, the person most responsible for promoting and championing American values all over the world, Secretary Pompeo should know that freedom of the press is a fundamental human right, a foundational pillar of democracy, and an indispensable check on authoritarian overreach,” Menendez said in a statement.

“Punishing a credible U.S. news outlet by kicking their reporter off of the Secretary’s plane is something we would expect from an authoritarian dictator,” he added.

An official for the State Department was not immediately available for comment.

Menendez’s statement comes after the State Department of Correspondents' Association announced Monday that Keleman was removed from the press pool for Pompeo’s international trip.

“We can only conclude that the State Department is retaliating against National Public Radio as a result of this exchange,” Shaun Tandon, president of the State Department Correspondents' Association, said in the statement.

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Keleman’s removal followed NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly’s report on “All Things Considered” that Pompeo forcefully questioned, using profanity, whether Americans care about Ukraine and asked if the veteran journalist could find the country on a map.

Menendez said it is “completely unacceptable” for Pompeo to “imitate President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE’s penchant for treating the press like the enemy.

“The American people deserve to hear how the State Department is protecting and advancing our interests and values around the world. I call on every member of the U.S. Congress to defend the First Amendment and call upon the Secretary of State to reinstate NPR’s participation in his upcoming travels,” he said. “We have a responsibility to stand up for the fundamental right of free expression and free press.”

Menendez and fellow Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineBarrett seen as a front-runner for Trump Supreme Court pick Biden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states Second GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus MORE (Va.), Ed Markey Edward (Ed) John MarkeySchumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Democrats see fundraising spike following Ginsburg death Democratic senator calls for eliminating filibuster, expanding Supreme Court if GOP fills vacancy MORE (Mass.), Jeff Merkley Jeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Sunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' MORE (Ore.) and Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (N.J.), sent a letter to Pompeo on Saturday criticizing Pompeo’s behavior during his interview with Kelly.

The Democratic senators wrote that Pompeo’s “insulting and contemptuous comments are beneath the office of the Secretary of State.”