Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (I-Vt.), a 2020 White House hopeful, said Sunday that he supports freshman congresswomen including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOn The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline McCarthy says there will be a peaceful transition if Biden wins Anxious Democrats amp up pressure for vote on COVID-19 aid MORE (D-N.Y.) for energizing their progressive bases as the lawmakers clash with Democratic leaders.

"Do you think the Speaker is being too tough on them?" NBC's Chuck Todd Charles (Chuck) David ToddMurkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Republican senator says plans to confirm justice before election 'completely consistent with the precedent' Sunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response MORE asked Sanders on "Meet the Press," noting that Ocasio-Cortez recently called out Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Trump signs largely symbolic pre-existing conditions order amid lawsuit MORE (D-Calif) for her "explicit singling out of newly elected women of color."

"I think a little bit," Sanders responded. "I think you cannot ignore the young people of this country who are passionate about economic and racial and social and environmental justice. You've got to bring them in not alienate them."

WATCH: Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders says Speaker Pelosi is being a 'little bit' too tough on AOC #MTP #IfItsSunday@BernieSanders: "You cannot ignore the young people of this country. ... You gotta bring them in, not alienate them." pic.twitter.com/IAU6KdiKux — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) July 14, 2019

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Sanders, who has also clashed with Democratic Party leaders, said the future of the country and party "rests with young people."

"Is this part of this bigger disruption you helped lead for years ago?" Todd asked Sanders.

"What Alexandria and other young women, and women of color, are saying, we have got to reach out to young people. We have got to hear the pain of the working class of this country, and that is causing some of the disruption in the leadership of the Democratic Party," Sanders responded.

"I support Alexandria's and the other women’s desire to bring more people, especially young people, working-class people, into the Democratic Party. That is the future of the Democratic Party," he added.

Tensions have been escalating between four freshman Democrats, including Ocasio-Cortez and Reps. Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Democrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise MORE (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibTrump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' George Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge MORE (D-Mich.) and Ayanna Pressley Ayanna PressleyFauci, Black Lives Matter founders included on Time's 100 Most Influential People list Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Pressley applauded on House floor after moving speech on living with alopecia MORE (D-Mass.), and Pelosi after the group did not vote in favor of a House funding bill to provide resources for agencies handling migrants at the border.

Pelosi called out the representatives in a New York Times column, leading to a tense back and forth between her and Ocasio-Cortez.

Pelosi said last week she was done talking about the issue.