Republican Rep. Robert Pittenger from North Carolina said that the protesters in Charlotte are motivated by racism because they “hate white people.” And why is it that they hate white people? “Because white people are successful and they’re not,” he told the BBC.

Yes, that’s right, a Republican Congressman just said that in 2016. And what’s worse (if that’s even possible) is that Pittenger’s district includes part of the city where protests have broken out in recent days.

“The grievance in their minds—the animus, the anger—they hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not,” said Pittenger when he was asked why protesters had taken to the streets. He then tied it all to welfare, of course, and criticized those who receive it. “It is a welfare state. We have spent trillions of dollars on welfare, and we’ve put people in bondage, so they can’t be all they’re capable of being,” Pittenger said.

Pittenger quickly apologized for the comment saying he was just quoting people he had heard on television. “What is taking place in my hometown breaks my heart,” Pittenger said in a statement that he posted on Twitter. “Today, my anguish led me to respond to a reporter’s question in a way that I regret. My answer to BBC doesn’t reflect who I am. I was quoting statements made by angry protesters last night on national TV. Not my intent. My intent was to discuss the lack of economic mobility for African Americans because of failed policies. I apologize to those I offended and hope we can bring peace and calm to Charlotte.”

He also went on CNN to try to explain himself saying he was quoting “comments that were made on air” by protesters.”I was only tryng to convey what they were saying and it didn’t come out right,” Pittenger said.

