U.S. President Donald Trump described some migrants as "animals" today, in a charged discussion about the border wall and law enforcement. "We have people coming in to the country, or trying to come in," Trump told California Republicans visiting the White House, "we are taking people out of the country." "You wouldn't believe how bad these people are, these aren't people, these are animals and we're taking them out of the country."

Trump's comments came in a freewheeling, hour-long White House meeting with local California leaders opposed to so-called "sanctuary city" policies. "California's law provides safe harbour to some of the most vicious and violent offenders on Earth, like MS-13 gang members putting innocent men, women, and children at the mercy of these sadistic criminals," he said. Trump has often painted members of MS13 -- a gang that originated in the United States but with roots in El Salvador -- as "vicious" and "killers". He has often conflated the gang with immigrants in general.

The U.S. President was also venting frustration at Mexican officials who he said "do nothing" to help the United States.

His most recent comment -- loaded with echoes of Nazi language about Jews -- was swiftly condemned by Democratic Party leaders. "Immigrants are human beings. Not animals, not criminals, not drug dealers, not rapists. They are human beings," said Colorado Congressman Jared Polis.

California Governor Jerry Brown said "Trump is lying on immigration, lying about crime and lying about the laws of California." "Flying in a dozen Republican politicians to flatter him and praise his reckless policies changes nothing. We, the citizens of the fifth largest economy in the world, are not impressed," he said.

Trump's remarks were reminiscent of his first press conference as a presidential candidate in 2015, when he said the United States had become a "dumping ground" for people other countries didn't want. "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," he said then. "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

And in one of his most famous outbursts, which he has denied the U.S. President earlier this year had referred to immigrants coming from developing nations such as Haiti, El Salvador and some parts of Africa as “those shithole countries.” The statement witnessed by some people was reported verbatim, “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” (With Agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 17, 2018 07:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).