Leaders in Alabama and beyond are reacting to Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s comments on how Democrats are in favor of reparations because they are “pro-crime.”

Alabama Democratic Party Chair Rep. Chris England said on Twitter that the comments were “bullshit”– the same word Tuberville used to describe Democrats’ support of “reparation.”

“There is some bullshit here but it isn’t what (Tuberville) thinks it is. The bullshit is that this guy is a United States Senator in the first place,” England posted.

Tuberville, the junior Alabama senator and former head Auburn football coach, made his remarks on Saturday while at a rally held by former President Donald Trump in Nevada.

“They want reparation because they think the people who do the crime are owed that,” Tuberville said as the crowd cheered. “Bullshit!”

“We’re going to take our country back and we’re going to straighten up education and we’re going to close the border,” Tuberville also said. “We’re going to get inflation under control, and we’re going to stop this damn crime. You have to select and get Adam Laxalt elected senator of the state of Alabam-of Nevada.”

Reparations typically refer to financial compensation for African-Americans whose ancestors were slaves. The NAACP has called for a national apology, as well as financial payments, social service benefits and land grants to every descendant of enslaved African Americans.

Former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Joyce White Vance reacted to Tuberville’s comments on social media. “I’m sorry America. We could have had (former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones) but we did this to you.”

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb) on Sunday defended Tuberville, saying on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he “wouldn’t say it the same way,” but “there is a problem in our country with crime.” He blamed “far-left prosecutors, county attorneys, and mayors who are releasing violent criminals back on the street.”

When pressed to answer if Tuberville’s comments were racist, Bacon said, “We gotta be honest we have a crime problem in our country.”

“I’m not going to say he’s being racist but I wouldn’t use that language,” he said, adding Tuberville should “be more polite.”