Political analysts and observers referred to a GOP lawmaker as a "racist" after he made remarks that seemed to reveal his thinly veiled thoughts.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) spoke about Medicaid fraud during a Fox News interview, where he said, "What we're seeing, especially in the blue states, is there is rampant fraud, especially in the minority communities."
He added, "The only way we're going to stop is if people are put in jail."
Commentators reacted to Comer's comments with disgust, accusing him of making a not-too-subtle racist remark.
"Ah yes, the black people! (sic) of course!" Alex Cole, a progressive news personality, wrote.
"James Comer, fraudster and rank racist," reacted Norman Ornstein, a political scientist and contributing editor for The Atlantic.
"When they write about how America collapsed, it will be because we allowed one of our political parties to get away with this sh—," wrote Rachel Bitecofer, a national political analyst and pollster.
"Remember in the pre-Trump era where they were subtle?" asked political writer Zaid Jilani.
"Here he is saying it out. 'Especially in the minority communities,'" former U.S. ambassador Luis Moreno posted. "Folks like Donald Trump Jr., Bankman-Fried, Brett Favre, nearly all of the white collar fraudsters pardoned by Trump would like a word."
"They are not even trying to mask it," agreed writer and editor Keith Murphy.