Sen. Mazie Hirono Mazie Keiko HironoDemocrats unveil plan declaring racism a public health issue Overnight Defense: US, Russia trade blame over Syria incident | Pentagon calls out China's 'counterproductive' military exercises, missile test | Democrats press Esper on COVID-19 response Democrats press Esper on 'concerning' rise in Pentagon's COVID-19 cases MORE (D-Hawaii) said early Tuesday that President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE “made clear … that he wants, basically, white people to come to our country.”

Hirono said on CNN’s "New Day" that Trump’s reported comments on “shithole countries” during a White House meeting with lawmakers show that he wants “white people" to come to the U.S.

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“So that is your interpretation?” CNN’s Alisyn Camerota asked Hirono.

“It’s hard not to have that interpretation. That’s not just my interpretation,” the senator replied.

Hirono said that she is “very saddened” that GOP Sens. David Perdue (Ga.) and Tom Cotton Tom Bryant CottonRenewed focus on Trump's Supreme Court list after Ginsburg's death Republicans call for DOJ to prosecute Netflix executives for releasing 'Cuties' Loeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' MORE (Ark.) are now saying that Trump didn’t make the reference to “shithole countries” after initially saying they didn’t recall the comments.

“They’re enabling the president to go on with his denials, and that doesn’t serve our country at all,” she said.

The senator added that she is planning to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen Kirstjen Michele NielsenDHS IG won't investigate after watchdog said Wolf, Cuccinelli appointments violated law Appeals court sides with Trump over drawdown of immigrant protections Democrats smell blood with new DHS whistleblower complaint MORE about Trump’s immigration policies during her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Trump is facing widespread criticism for reportedly describing Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as “shithole countries” during an Oval Office meeting last week, saying that the U.S. should bring in more immigrants from Norway.

Sen. Dick Durbin Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Top GOP senator calls for Biden to release list of possible Supreme Court picks MORE (D-Ill.) confirmed the remarks to reporters last week.

Trump has denied claims of racism over the comments, telling reporters on Sunday that he's "the least racist person you will ever interview."