Rep. Jim Himes James (Jim) Andres HimesMany Democrats want John Bolton's testimony, but Pelosi stays mum SEC's Clayton demurs on firing of Manhattan US attorney he would replace Democrats face tough questions with Bolton MORE (D-Conn.) on Tuesday blasted President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE, accusing him of pulling the U.S. "deep into the mud of autocracy and dictatorship" for suggesting that Democrats who did not clap during his State of the Union address acted treasonously.

"This president, and in that moment, dragged this country deep into the mud of autocracy and dictatorship, as opposed to the kind of democracy that, whether you watch Fox News or [MSNBC's] Rachel Maddow, you ought to aspire this country to have," Himes said on CNN's "New Day."

Himes also said that the refusal of some Democrats to clap for "things that they disagree with" was less disrespectful than Rep. Joe Wilson Addison (Joe) Graves WilsonDemocrats raise alarm about new US human rights priorities Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez defeats Valerie Plame in New Mexico primary Trump campaign launches new fundraising program with House Republicans MORE (R-S.C.) shouting "you lie" during former President Obama's address before a joint session of Congress in 2009.

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"I would suggest that standing up and shouting 'you lie' is a little bit less dignified, a little less thoughtful than people not applauding for things that they disagree with," he said.

Trump on Monday accused Democrats who did not clap during his State of the Union address last week of being "treasonous."

"Even on positive news, really positive news like that, they were like death, and un-American," Trump said during a speech in Cincinnati. "Somebody said 'treasonous.' I mean, yeah, I guess, why not?"

"Can we call that treason?" he said. "Why not? I mean, they certainly didn’t seem to love our country very much."