Viewers watching Wednesday night's Democratic presidential primary debate took to social media to weigh in on Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony Booker3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.) and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE (D) confronting former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE (D) on immigration issues and deportations during the Obama administration.

After Biden sparred with former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro (D), who served in the Obama administration, over border crossings, de Blasio asked Biden whether he tried to slow the number of deportations when he was vice president.

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“You want to be president of the United States, you need to be able to answer the tough questions,” de Blasio said to Biden. “I guarantee you, if you’re debating Donald Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE, he’s not going to let you off the hook.”

After Biden said he kept his recommendations "to him in private,” Booker accused Biden of trying to “have it both ways,” saying the former vice president was invoking Obama “when it’s convenient” and dodging “when it’s not.”

Booker later pressed Biden on criminal justice issues after Biden accused the former Newark, N.J., mayor of implementing stop-and-frisk policies.

“Mr. Vice President, there’s a saying in my community: You’re dipping into the Kool-Aid and you don’t even know the flavor,” Booker quipped.

Booker to Biden: "You're dipping into the kool-aid and you don't even know the flavor."



pic.twitter.com/B8Zhbxg9ly — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 1, 2019

Former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-Alaska), who is also running for president, tweeted: “Booker just DESTROYED Biden. Holy shit man, brutality.”

Booker just DESTROYED Biden. Holy shit man, brutality — Mike Gravel (@MikeGravel) August 1, 2019

Other social media users responded to the tense exchanges during the debate.

De Blasio going in hard on Biden and whether he spoke out about Obama's deportations.#CNNDebate pic.twitter.com/MgLEUbCJRA — Steven Buckley (@StevenJCBuckley) August 1, 2019

A simple question from de Blasio to Biden on how whether or not he ever tried to intervene while Vice President to stop or slow the record-breaking deportations under Obama.



He is clearly avoiding the question. It's shameful. — Shaun King (@shaunking) August 1, 2019