Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? McConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security MORE on Thursday night accused Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhat Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE of using a “racist” term when she described young black criminals in the 1990s as “superpredators.”

At the Democratic presidential debate in Brooklyn, Sanders was asked why he attacked Clinton on the campaign trail earlier in the week for using the term.

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“Because it was a racist term and everybody knew it was a racist term," Sanders responded.

The crowd cheered his response and Clinton grimaced.

Last month, the former first lady apologized to a protester who confronted her for having used the term.

“Looking back, I shouldn't have used those words, and I wouldn't use them today," Clinton said.

Moments earlier at the debate, Clinton apologized for what she said were the unintended consequences of the 1994 crime bill her husband, then-President Bill Clinton William (Bill) Jefferson ClintonBarr says Ginsburg 'leaves a towering legacy' Trump reacts to Ginsburg's death: 'An amazing woman who led an amazing life' Jimmy Carter remembers Ruth Bader Ginsburg as 'a beacon of justice' MORE, signed into law.

Sanders also voted for the law. Both have said there were good aspects to it, such as the Violence Against Women Act, but both say it also led to the over-incarceration of African-Americans.

“My husband has apologized, he was the president who actually signed it,” Clinton said. “Sen. Sanders voted for it.

"But I’m sorry for the consequences that were unintended and have had a very unfortunate impact on peoples lives," she continued. I’ve seen the results and impact it has had on families and communities.”